Transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infectionin the United States, 1998 through 2000

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of blood is an important cause of transfusion-transmitted infection; infection risk from platelet transfusion is higher compared with that from RBCs, and, overall, the risk of infection from bacterial contamination now may exceed that from viral agents. Recipients of components containing gram-negative organisms are at highest risk for transfusion-related death. The results of this study may help direct efforts to improve transfusion-related patient safety.

Current issues relating to the transfusion of stored red blood cells

“…Despite leucoreduction and cold storage, about 1 in 30 000 stored red blood cell units can be demonstrated at some point to be bacterially contaminated. Infections related to bacterial contamination could be demonstrated in 1 in 5 million red blood cell units, and in a typical year, about one of the five annual deaths from bacterially contaminated blood products is reported to be associated with a unit of red blood cells [25]. Most bacterial organisms do not survive in the cold, but a few such as Serratia marcesans , Yersinia enterocolitica , and Aeromonas species can grow at refrigerator temperatures [26].…”

Platelets: Testing, Dosing and the Storage Lesion—Recent Advances

“…Table 1 summarizes three large-scale surveillance studies of septic reactions that were performed prior to the implementation of standard 5.1.5.1: a Johns Hopkins University study, 12 the French BACTHEM study, 13 and the US BaCon study. 14 In the Hopkins and BACTHEM studies, the risk of a clinically apparent septic transfusion reaction ranged from 1/ 2500-1/31,000 platelet transfusions. Fatalities were observed following ~1/5-1/10 septic reactions.…”

“…Fifty thousand outdated products are to be tested. 21 13 1/14,000 1/31,000 0 1/140,000 Kuehnert et al (BaCon) 14 1/100,000 1/100,000 1/500,000 1/450,000 …”

Sickle cell disease: the family perspective

“…Despite of the considerable progress in the understanding of the physiopathology of this disease, especially in the genetic 3 nóstico e condução terapêutica, principalmente nos casos mais graves e secundários a outras patologias. O diagnóstico de PTI passa pela exclusão de patologias que cursam com trombocitopenia, mas sua abordagem propedêutica ainda é controversa.…”

“…Alguns casos são induzidos por drogas ou associados a outras doenças, como lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, agamaglobulinemia, doença linfoproliferativa ou mielodisplasia. 3,4 Por tratar-se de doença autolimitada, poucas são as crianças que requerem tratamento, sendo seu adequado entendimento vital para o diagAvaliação: O tema abordado foi sugerido e avaliado pelo editor.…”