Bacterial contaminants of stored blood and blood components ready for transfusion at blood banks in Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

ObjectiveBacterial contamination of donated blood and blood components is a major public health problem globally. The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate and spectrum of bacterial contaminations and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of contaminants in stored blood and blood components.ResultsA total of 196 blood and blood components (concentrated red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets) were included. Bacterial contamination was observed in 18 (9.2%) of the blood and blood components, of which 14 (77.8%) and 4 (22.2%) were gram positive and gram negative bacteria, respectively. The predominantly isolated bacteria were Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. Majority of isolated gram-negative bacteria isolates showed resistance to tetracycline and doxycycline. Multidrug resistance was observed in 12 (66%) of the isolates.

Assessment of Internal Quality Control of Blood Products; Experience at a Regional Transfusion Centre from Northern Pakistan

“…18 Sehgal et al, reported a positive bacterial culture in 5.38% of platelet concentrates in PRP, while another research conducted in a blood bank in Ethiopia showed a very high bacterial contamination rate in 4 platelet bags out of a total of 12 bags tested. 19,20 Our results were similar to those reported in a Moroccan blood bank which analyzed platelet concentrates over seven years and reported culture positivity of 0.44%. 21 Bacterial contamination screening was introduced in Australian blood banks in 2008, and researchers have demonstrated a decline in the initial machine culture positivity rate in platelet concentrates of 0.6% since 2013.…”

The international experience of bacterial screen testing of platelet components with automated microbial detection systems: An update

“…Bacterial culture, pathogen reduction (PR) and point of release testing were methods being considered for implementation by members. Several other small studies reported the prevalence of bacterial contamination of blood and blood components using cultures on different media, in which isolates were identified using standard biochemical and bacteriological methods [15, 16]. Research, surveillance and implementation of interventions in lower‐income countries at present lags that of high‐income countries (Box 1).…”

Riboflavin Surface Modification of Poly(vinyl chloride) for Light-Triggered Control of Bacterial Biofilm and Virus Inactivation

“…Furthermore, susceptibility to microorganisms and viral contamination remains a long-standing issue for polymers, with 7.5% of patients experiencing healthcare-associated infections associated with surgeries and biomedical devices in Canada, , and 50 000+ lives are lost across the United States and Europe due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Furthermore, blood storage contamination affects 0.2% of stored blood bags in the United States and in higher rates in undeveloped countries . Therefore, developing PVC surfaces with improved antimicrobial properties is a real need …”

“…Furthermore, blood storage contamination affects 0.2% of stored blood bags in the United States and in higher rates in undeveloped countries. 12 Therefore, developing PVC surfaces with improved antimicrobial properties is a real need. 13 The research on PVC's surface modification is an active field and has common goals: increased biocompatibility, eradicate pathogens, and not trigger an adverse response, e.g., blood coagulation.…”