BACKGROUND: The BacT/ALERT system for bacterial monitoring of platelet concentrates (PCs) was introduced in the Netherlands in 2001. Samples are cultured for 7 days, and as a result of the short shelf-life of PCs, they are usually released as 'negative to date'. Therefore, some of the PCs have already been transfused at the moment of a positive signal in continued cultures in the BacT/Alert. It is unclear, however, whether these PCs are associated with more transfusion reactions. METHODS: During a 2-year period clinical data were collected from all patients who received PCs released as 'negative to date' but with a positive bacterial culture after being transfused. RESULTS: Data of 158 patients who received PCs with confirmed positive bacterial culture tests were analysed. Two patients developed a transfusion reaction. In both PCs, Propionibacterium was cultured. The imputability as related to the transfusion was classified as unlikely in both patients. CONCLUSION: Two of 158 transfusions of PCs released as 'negative to date', but with a confirmed positive BacT/ALERT result, were initially associated with transfusion reactions. However, the imputability of both reactions was low.
BACKGROUND: The BacT/ALERT system for bacterial monitoring of platelet concentrates (PCs) was introduced in the Netherlands in 2001. Samples are cultured for 7 days, and as a result of the short shelf-life of PCs, they are usually released as 'negative to date'. Therefore, some of the PCs have already been transfused at the moment of a positive signal in continued cultures in the BacT/Alert. It is unclear, however, whether these PCs are associated with more transfusion reactions. METHODS: During a 2-year period clinical data were collected from all patients who received PCs released as 'negative to date' but with a positive bacterial culture after being transfused. RESULTS: Data of 158 patients who received PCs with confirmed positive bacterial culture tests were analysed. Two patients developed a transfusion reaction. In both PCs, Propionibacterium was cultured. The imputability as related to the transfusion was classified as unlikely in both patients. CONCLUSION: Two of 158 transfusions of PCs released as 'negative to date', but with a confirmed positive BacT/ALERT result, were initially associated with transfusion reactions. However, the imputability of both reactions was low.
Authors: Jeremy A Garson; Poorvi Patel; Carl McDonald; Joanne Ball; Gillian Rosenberg; Kate I Tettmar; Susan R Brailsford; Tyrone Pitt; Richard S Tedder Journal: Transfusion Date: 2013-05-23 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Paula F Ypma; Pieter F van der Meer; Nancy M Heddle; Joost A van Hilten; Theo Stijnen; Rutger A Middelburg; Tor Hervig; Johanna G van der Bom; Anneke Brand; Jean-Louis H Kerkhoffs Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-01-27 Impact factor: 2.692