Evaluation of a universal point-of-issue assay for bacterial detection in buffy coat platelet components

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates poses a major post-transfusion infectious risk. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the BacTx(®) assay (Immunetics Inc.) for bacterial detection in leucocyte-reduced buffy coat platelet pools and for its sensitivity in detecting clinical isolates, including bacteria that form surface-attached aggregates (biofilm positives). Platelet pools were inoculated at bacterial concentrations of 0·8-13 CFU/ml. The BacTx(®) assay detected all species at concentrations ≥10(3)  CFU/ml within 20-69 h of platelet incubation. Detection of slow-growing and biofilm-forming strains was delayed in comparison with the other strains. This assay could be used as a point-of-issue method to increase the safety of the platelet supply.