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Abstract

Background: Bacterial contamination of platelet units is a serious concern in transfusion medicine, potentially leading to septic transfusion reactions, which can be life-threatening. Due to their storage at room temperature (20–24°C) with constant agitation, platelet concentrates are particularly susceptible to bacterial growth, especially from skin flora introduced during blood collection or processing. Common contaminants include Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Gram-negative organisms such as Escherichia coli. Contamination may result from inadequate aseptic techniques, faulty collection equipment, or undetected donor bacteremia. Early detection and the application of pathogen reduction strategies are critical for ensuring transfusion safety. Aim: This study aimed to determine the frequency and types of bacterial contamination in platelet apheresis units. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Blood Transfusion Center between May 20 and July 22, 2024. A total of 130 platelet apheresis units, collected from voluntary and replacement donors and screened negative for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis, were evaluated. Samples were taken on the second day post-collection and cultured using standard media and the BacT/ALERT microbial detection system. Results: All 130 platelet units showed no evidence of bacterial or fungal contamination in either the conventional culture media or BacT/ALERT system. Conclusion: The absence of detectable contamination may reflect effective donor skin disinfection and sterile collection practices. However, the limited sample size, single-point testing, and potential for false negatives suggest the need for further studies. Future work should incorporate larger sample sizes, advanced rapid detection methods, and delayed sampling for improved accuracy.

DOI

10.52573/ipmj.2025.162137

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