Posttransfusion Sepsis Attributable to Bacterial Contamination in Platelet Collection Set Manufacturing Facility, United States

Overview

Journal Emerg Infect Dis

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2023 Aug 10

PMID 37561399

Authors

Ian Kracalik

Alyssa G Kent

Carlos H Villa

Paige Gable

Pallavi Annambhotla

Gillian McAllister

Deborah Yokoe

Charles R Langelier

Kelly Oakeson

Judith Noble-Wang

Orieji Illoh

Alison Laufer Halpin

Anne F Eder

Sridhar V Basavaraju

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

During May 2018‒December 2022, we reviewed transfusion-transmitted sepsis cases in the United States attributable to polymicrobial contaminated apheresis platelet components, including Acinetobacter calcoaceticus‒baumannii complex or Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from patients and components. Transfused platelet components underwent bacterial risk control strategies (primary culture, pathogen reduction or primary culture, and secondary rapid test) before transfusion. Environmental samples were collected from a platelet collection set manufacturing facility. Seven sepsis cases from 6 platelet donations from 6 different donors were identified in patients from 6 states; 3 patients died. Cultures identified Acinetobacter calcoaceticus‒baumannii complex in 6 patients and 6 transfused platelets, S. saprophyticus in 4 patients and 4 transfused platelets. Whole-genome sequencing showed environmental isolates from the manufacturer were closely related genetically to patient and platelet isolates, indicating the manufacturer was the most probable source of recurrent polymicrobial contamination. Clinicians should maintain awareness of possible transfusion-transmitted sepsis even when using bacterial risk control strategies.

Citing Articles

Formation of Single-Species and Multispecies Biofilm by Isolates from Septic Transfusion Reactions in Platelet Bag Model.

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PMID: 39106464 PMC: 11346971. DOI: 10.3201/eid3009.240372.

Bacterial Contamination of Platelet Products.

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