SUMMARY: METHODS: In order to evaluate the benefit of risk minimisation measures, reporting rates of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections (TTBI) were calculated on the basis of annual reports and distributed blood components. Following the implementation of risk minimisation measures in 2003 and 2008, a comparison of pre- and post-implementation periods was performed. RESULTS: During a period of 14 years, 90 cases of TTBI were confirmed, 34 were caused by red blood cell (RBC) concentrates, 5 by fresh frozen plasma, and 51 by platelet concentrates (PCs). The overall reporting frequency was 1 TTBI in 1.91 million RBC units; 1 TTBI in 0.094 million PC units, and 1 TTBI-associated fatality in 0.57 million PC units. From 2001-2004 the reporting rate was 13.7 per million PC units; 2005-2008, after the implementation of pre-donation sampling; it was 10.8 per million PC units (p > 0.5). After limitation of the shelf life (2008), the reporting rate decreased to 4.49 per million PC units (p = 0.12), and one case of related fatality was reported. Agents with low pathogenicity were reported in 14 of 41 immunosuppressed patients (34%) but only in 1 of 13 patients with non-haematological/oncological diseases. CONCLUSION: TTBI and associated fatalities could be gradually reduced by the risk minimisation measures, but further strategies such as implementation of sensitive screening tests or pathogen-reducing approaches should be discussed.
SUMMARY: METHODS: In order to evaluate the benefit of risk minimisation measures, reporting rates of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections (TTBI) were calculated on the basis of annual reports and distributed blood components. Following the implementation of risk minimisation measures in 2003 and 2008, a comparison of pre- and post-implementation periods was performed. RESULTS: During a period of 14 years, 90 cases of TTBI were confirmed, 34 were caused by red blood cell (RBC) concentrates, 5 by fresh frozen plasma, and 51 by platelet concentrates (PCs). The overall reporting frequency was 1 TTBI in 1.91 million RBC units; 1 TTBI in 0.094 million PC units, and 1 TTBI-associated fatality in 0.57 million PC units. From 2001-2004 the reporting rate was 13.7 per million PC units; 2005-2008, after the implementation of pre-donation sampling; it was 10.8 per million PC units (p > 0.5). After limitation of the shelf life (2008), the reporting rate decreased to 4.49 per million PC units (p = 0.12), and one case of related fatality was reported. Agents with low pathogenicity were reported in 14 of 41 immunosuppressed patients (34%) but only in 1 of 13 patients with non-haematological/oncological diseases. CONCLUSION: TTBI and associated fatalities could be gradually reduced by the risk minimisation measures, but further strategies such as implementation of sensitive screening tests or pathogen-reducing approaches should be discussed.
Authors: Anne F Eder; Jean M Kennedy; Beth A Dy; Edward P Notari; John W Weiss; Chyang T Fang; Stephen Wagner; Roger Y Dodd; Richard J Benjamin Journal: Transfusion Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Dirk de Korte; Joyce Curvers; Wim L A M de Kort; Tiny Hoekstra; Cees L van der Poel; Erik A M Beckers; Jan H Marcelis Journal: Transfusion Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: M J Kuehnert; V R Roth; N R Haley; K R Gregory; K V Elder; G B Schreiber; M J Arduino; S C Holt; L A Carson; S N Banerjee; W R Jarvis Journal: Transfusion Date: 2001-12 Impact factor: 3.157