Allogeneic skin donors from a tissue bank in Southern Brazil: clinical and epidemiological profiles and microbial colonization of skin

Abstract

Background An allogeneic human skin graft is a temporary biologic dressing used in extensive burns that can be a providential treatment for affected patients. Skin quality depends directly on its microbial decontamination after processing in a tissue bank. Our objective was to describe the skin donor profiles in relation to the analysis of the microbial colonization of the donated skin.Methods This clinical study includes epidemiological and microbiological data on skin donors from 2012 to 2014. The donor information database was compiled from the medical records of skin donors filed in the tissue bank. The donors were assessed regarding the microbial colonization of the skin at the time of processing in the tissue bank. Results We found a statistically significant association (P = 0.020) between lower average age of the donor and the presence of microbial colonization. We observed that Gramnegative bacteria (GNB) are associated with male gender (P = 0.015), source hospital A (P = 0.034), and over 7 days stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) (P = 0.001). We also observed that Staphylococcus aureus is associated with skin-harvesting hospital C (P = 0.034) and that Gram-positive bacilli (GPB) are associated with up to 7 days stay in an ICU (P = 0.009). ConclusionsWe found significant associations between the type of microorganism colonizing the skin and the epidemiological and clinical profiles of the donors. This information is extremely important when determining the potential use of skin source and so optimizing the donation of allogeneic skin for transplantation.

Influence of electron beam irradiation on extracellular matrix of the human allogeneic skin grafts

“…Additionally, it was observed that Gram-negative bacteria were especially associated with males with over 7 days stay in an intensive care unit ICU. 40 Analyzing the results obtained in literature 29,[38][39][40] and obtained in this study, a specific preferred deceased donor profile can be proposed. It may be suggested that in the view of microbiological safety, the skin donation should be more preferably executed in the area of operating room than in a forensic facility, and the donor should not stay in an ICU for more than 7 days.…”

“…The results obtained by our team previously 30 also indicated that the donation in operating room conditions was significantly microbiologically cleaner than those prepared in an autopsy room. 30 What is more, the results obtained by Preto et al 40 revealed a significant relationship between the specific hospital in which the tissue collection took place and the number and strain of the isolated microorganisms. Additionally, it was observed that Gram-negative bacteria were especially associated with males with over 7 days stay in an intensive care unit ICU.…”

“…However, in contrast to the observations presented in this study, the other researchers showed that the level of skin infection remained at a significantly lower level, for example, 15.70% 38 or 42.70%, 39 while in this study all samples were initially microbiologically contaminated (100% of tested samples). However, we must remember that the presented results of mentioned authors [38][39][40] refer to the samples donated in operating room conditions, while the results presented in this study come from the autopsy room. The results obtained by our team previously 30 also indicated that the donation in operating room conditions was significantly microbiologically cleaner than those prepared in an autopsy room.…”

Organization of Hannover Skin Bank: Sterile culture and procurement protocols for viable cryopreserved allogeneic skin grafts of living donors

“…26 As published elsewhere by a tissue bank in Southern Brazil, there is a significant association of a lower average donor age and the presence of microbial colonization of harvested skin allografts. 34 Furthermore, they observed that Gram-negative bacteria were associated with male gender, source hospital and an over 7-day stay in an intensive care unit prior to skin procurement. 34 Besides the microbial burden, the viability of the skin grafts is a crucial issue as well.…”

“…34 Furthermore, they observed that Gram-negative bacteria were associated with male gender, source hospital and an over 7-day stay in an intensive care unit prior to skin procurement. 34 Besides the microbial burden, the viability of the skin grafts is a crucial issue as well. The skin bank of Verona (Verona, Italy) observed a mean percentage viability of 45.1 ± 20.1% in cryopreserved allogeneic skin grafts, which is similar to results obtained in other skin tissue banks.…”