Blood Safety: Bacterial Contamination of Platelets
February 25, 2005
A report in the Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on February 25, 2005 highlighted two cases of transfusion-associated deaths that were due to bacterial contamination of platelets.
Fatal Bacterial Infections Associated with Platelet Transfusions --- United States, 2004 MMWR
Bacterial contamination of platelet components is the second most common cause of transfusion-related deaths in the United States. To address this risk, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) adopted a new standard (standard 5.1.1.1, Standards for blood Banks and Transfusion Services, 22nd edition) on March 1, 2004 that requires member blood banks and transfusion services to implement measures to detect and limit bacterial contamination in all platelet components.
Additional information about the standard and potential management issues related to transfusion recipients and blood donors for clinicians can be obtained by visiting the AABB link below.
Content source:
Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP)
National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases