Bacterial Detection

Bacterial contamination of blood products may lead to severe, even fatal transfusion reactions. Because they are stored at room temperature, platelets constitute a favourable growth environment for a wide range of bacteria. These bacteria may be present in an asymptomatic, bacteremic blood donor, or more commonly may be part of normal donor skin flora. Methods to decrease bacterial contamination currently include questioning all donors about fever and infections, careful skin disinfection, and diversion of the initial aliquot of donor blood away from the main collection bag. In addition, the donor’s temperature is measured prior to each donation.

There is no ideal method to detect the very low numbers of bacteria that may be present shortly after blood collection. No methods are required or licensed by Health Canada at the present time as a release test for blood components. Canadian Blood Services is performing aerobic automated blood cultures, using the BacT/ALERT system on apheresis platelets. Such cultures will also be performed on buffy coat platelets, when this method of production is introduced.