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

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Transfusion-transmitted sepsis is a rare but serious risk associated with blood product transfusions.
• Apheresis platelet components are essential for managing thrombocytopenia but can be susceptible to bacterial contamination.

Approach:

• Reviewed transfusion-transmitted sepsis cases linked to polymicrobial-contaminated apheresis platelets (May 2018–December 2022).
• Investigated bacterial isolates (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex, Staphylococcus saprophyticus) from patients and components.
• Conducted whole-genome sequencing on clinical, component, and environmental isolates from a platelet collection set manufacturer.

Key Points:

• Seven sepsis cases across six states were identified, resulting in three deaths.
• Bacterial isolates from patients and platelets matched those found in environmental samples from a manufacturing facility.
• Whole-genome sequencing strongly implicated the manufacturing facility as the source of recurrent polymicrobial contamination.

Conclusions:

• Even with implemented bacterial risk control strategies, transfusion-transmitted sepsis remains a concern.
• Manufacturing processes for platelet collection sets can be a source of microbial contamination.
• Enhanced vigilance and improved manufacturing controls are crucial to mitigate transfusion-related sepsis risks.