Detection of bacteria in WBC-reduced PLT concentrates using percent oxygen as a marker for bacteria growth

• Published in: Transfusion (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 43; no. 9; pp. 1276 - 1285
• Main Authors: Ortolano, Girolamo A., Freundlich, Lawrence F., Holme, Stein, Russell, Rosalind L., Cortus, Mary Anne, Wilkins, Karen, Nomura, Hiromi, Chong, Chiyong, Carmen, Raleigh, Capetandes, Anthony, Wenz, Barry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Malden, USA Blackwell Science Inc 01.09.2003; Blackwell Publishing
• Subjects: Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Bacteria - growth & development; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacterial Infections - diagnosis; Bacterial Infections - prevention & control; Bacterial Infections - transmission; Bacteriological Techniques - instrumentation; Bacteriological Techniques - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers; Blood Platelets - microbiology; Blood. Blood and plasma substitutes. Blood products. Blood cells. Blood typing. Plasmapheresis. Apheresis; Hematology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Leukocytes - cytology; Medical sciences; Oxygen - analysis; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Platelet Transfusion; Sensitivity and Specificity; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Performance evaluation; Human; Microorganism growth; Oxygen; Transfusion; Biological marker; Instrumentation; Medical screening; Infection; Prevention; Sensitivity; Platelet; Bacteriosis; Concentrate
• ISSN: 0041-1132; 1537-2995
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2003.00487.x

BACKGROUND:  The risk of receiving a PLT concentrate (PC) contaminated with bacteria may be 1000‐fold greater than that of pathogenic viral transmission, yet surveillance for this risk is not generally practiced. A novel bacteria detection system (BDS) that overcomes the limitations of current systems is described. The BDS monitors percent oxygen (%O2) in air above aliquots of PCs that have been filtered to remove the confounding effect of respiring PLTs and residual WBCs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  One‐day‐old WBC‐reduced whole‐blood‐derived PCs (WBPCs) were inoculated with bacteria at 100 to 500 CFU per mL. After 30 minutes, 2‐ to 3‐mL aliquots were processed through a PLT‐reducing filter into a sample pouch containing sodium polyanethol sulfonate and entrained air. After incubation at 35°C for at least 24 hours, the %O2 was measured within the pouch. Noninoculated WBC‐reduced WBPCs (n = 155), confirmed free of bacteria by routine culture, were tested in a like manner. Results from the latter group of WBC‐reduced WBPCs were used to distinguish contaminated from noncontaminated units. RESULTS:  After a 24‐hour incubation at 35°C, 195 (96.5%) of the 202 sample pouches obtained from inoculated units were detected by the BDS. After an additional 6 hours at room temperature, those that remained and were tested were found positive. None of the noninoculated controls produced a positive reading. CONCLUSION:  The BDS is easy to use and provides good levels of sensitivity and specificity.