Bacterial infections associated with blood transfusion: experience and perspective of infectious diseases consultants

On March 1, 2004, the AABB adopted a new standard that requires member blood banks and transfusion services to implement measures to limit and detect bacterial contamination in all platelet (PLT) components. The AABB has since developed several guidelines to assist blood transfusion services and blood banks in this area, some of which are relevant to clinical practice. Knowledge and experience among clinicians (including infectious disease consultants, who can play an important role in managing patients with sepsis) concerning risk of bacterial infections associated with transfusion, however, are unknown.

Experience concerning management and prevention of transfusion-associated bacterial infection, including knowledge of the AABB standard requiring bacterial screening of PLTs, was assessed through an Infectious Diseases Society of America Emerging Infections Network (IDSA/EIN) survey.

Overall, 405 (47%) EIN members responded to the survey; of those responding, 12 percent of respondents had encountered transfusion reactions potentially due to bacterial contamination in the prior 10 years, 36 percent were aware of the transmission risk of bacteria through blood transfusion, and 20 percent were aware of the new AABB standard for bacterial screening of PLTs.

Understanding by EIN infectious disease consultants of the significance of transfusion-associated bacterial infection and associated AABB standards and guidelines may indicate lack of other clinicians' awareness on these issues. Improving awareness of the risk of bacterial contamination of PLTs appears warranted to improve clinical management of infected blood donors or recipients, particularly when follow-up for transfusion of a culture-positive PLT unit is needed.