Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Bacterial sepsis is second only to ABO incompatibility as a cause of death from transfusion.

Bacterial contamination of platelets is recognised as the most significant residual infectious risk of transfusion in developed countries.

International data from microbiological culture studies of platelet units suggest that the overall incidence of bacterial contamination ranges from approximately 1:3000–1:1000 units of apheresis platelets, and 1 in every 200–600 units of pooled platelets.

All platelet components from the Blood Service are screened for bacterial contamination. This is a significant step in improving the safety of the blood supply.

The removal of potentially bacteria-contaminated components from the blood supply prior to transfusion can help avoid adverse outcomes.

Additionally, knowledge of potential bacterial contamination should enable early clinical review and consideration of antibiotic intervention in situations where components have already been transfused.