INTRODUCTION: Advances in screening for infections improve the safety of donated blood. Transfusion-related bacterial sepsis, although not established in Zimbabwe, stills makes bacterial contamination of blood clinically relevant. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Harare. Bacteriological and antibiotic susceptibility testing were done using standard methods. RESULTS: Of the 196 samples analyzed, 6 (3.1%) were contaminated with bacteria. Platelets had a significantly high contamination rate compared to other blood products. Bacteria showed varying patterns of susceptibility to the antibiotics tested. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of bacterial contamination in blood products suggests that patients who receive blood products are at risk of developing infection.
INTRODUCTION: Advances in screening for infections improve the safety of donated blood. Transfusion-related bacterial sepsis, although not established in Zimbabwe, stills makes bacterial contamination of blood clinically relevant. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Harare. Bacteriological and antibiotic susceptibility testing were done using standard methods. RESULTS: Of the 196 samples analyzed, 6 (3.1%) were contaminated with bacteria. Platelets had a significantly high contamination rate compared to other blood products. Bacteria showed varying patterns of susceptibility to the antibiotics tested. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of bacterial contamination in blood products suggests that patients who receive blood products are at risk of developing infection.
Authors: Heather A Hume; Henry Ddungu; Racheal Angom; Hannington Baluku; Henry Kajumbula; Dorothy Kyeyune-Byabazaire; Jackson Orem; Sandra Ramirez-Arcos; Aaron A R Tobian Journal: Transfusion Date: 2016-04-15 Impact factor: 3.157