Post transfusion septicaemia 1980-1989: importance of donor arm cleansing.

Bacterial contamination of blood products

“…It can occur at the following stages: at the donors when they harbour asymptomatic bacteraemia [1], at the time of collection, which is contaminated during and after skin disinfection [2]; with bacteria rarely penetrating into the blood bags system during processing and storage, and at the time of transfusion. The extent of bacterial contamination of blood products in the past was based on observed or reported transfusion-trasmitted bacteria sepsis, which were prone to be underreported.…”

Current concepts on the transmission of bacteria and parasites by blood components

“…There are several saprophytic organisms in the donors' skin (staphylococci, streptococci, pseudomonas, diphteroids, bacilii, etc.) that may enter into the primary blood bag container when the donor's arm is not properly cleansed (11). After antisepsis, the phlebotomist must not touch the venipuncture site again.…”

“…The use of non-sterile external devices (vacuum tubes for pilot samples), and solutions (e.g. saline), or the inadequate manipulation during processing (equipment in contact with blood units causing inconspicuous punctures in the bag), or even thawing in contaminated water baths are also ascribed to inducing exogenous contamination (7,11).…”

“…Salmonella, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Yersinia species) are the main responsible agents for red cell product contamination (7,8,11,14) whereas both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms (mainly those derived from the skin flora) have been associated with platelet contamination (6,7,14).…”

Combining Fluorescent Probes and Biofunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles for Rapid Detection of Bacteria in Human Blood

“…[3] Despite these improved methods for reducing pathogen contamination of blood products, the risk of transfusion-associated bacterial infection remains a major concern: [4] this mainly arises from bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates. Because the source of contamination is usually normal flora from the skin of the donor [5] or bacteria from the blood of donors who are asymptomatic carriers, [6] it is impossible to completely eliminate the bacterial contamination in blood products. In addition, the rate of bacterial contamination increases with the duration of storage of the platelet [7] because it has to be stored at room temperature.…”