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Extension of platelet shelf life from 4 to 5 days by implementation of a new screening strategy in Germany
Author(s) -
Sireis W.,
Rüster B.,
Daiss C.,
Hourfar M. K.,
Capalbo G.,
Pfeiffer HU,
Janetzko K.,
Goebel M.,
Kempf V. A. J.,
Seifried E.,
Schmidt M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2011.01485.x
Subject(s) - platelet , apheresis , shelf life , medicine , platelet transfusion , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , immunology , food science
Background The Paul‐Ehrlich‐Institute analysed all fatalities due to bacterial infections between 1997 and 2007. Thereafter, the platelet shelf life was reduced to a maximum of 4 days after blood donation because the majority of all cases of severe transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infections occurred with day 5 platelets. The current study compares the analytical sensitivity and the diagnostic specificity of four rapid bacterial detection procedures. Methods Nine transfusion‐relevant bacterial strains were spiked in pooled platelets or apheresis platelets at a low concentration (10 CFU/bag). Samples were collected after day 3, day 4 and day 5 and investigated by four rapid bacterial detection methods (modified BacT/ALERT, Bactiflow, FACS method and 16s DNA PCR methods). Results Seven out of nine bacterial strains were adequately detected by BacT/ALERT, Bactiflow and PCR in apheresis platelets and pooled platelets after sample collection at day 3, day 4 and day 5. For three bacterial strains, analytical sensitivity was reduced for the FACS method. Two bacterial strains did not grow under the storage conditions in either pooled or apheresis platelets. Conclusions A late sample collection on day 3, day 4 or day 5 after blood donation in combination with a rapid bacterial detection method offers a new opportunity to improve blood safety and reduce errors due to sampling., BacT/ALERT, Bactiflow or 16s ID‐NAT are feasible for late bacterial screening in platelets may provide data which support the extension of platelet shelf life in Germany to 5 days.