Related Experiment Videos
Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteremia from blood transfusion
The American Journal of Medicine
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Prolonged storage of blood increases the risk of bacterial contamination, specifically Pseudomonas fluorescens sepsis. This can lead to severe transfusion reactions, highlighting the need for careful blood handling and storage protocols.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens) contamination in blood products can cause severe septic transfusion reactions.
- A cluster of cases in 1980, including a fatality, prompted an investigation into blood supply safety.
Observation:
- Two patients receiving blood from the same center developed P. fluorescens sepsis; one died.
- An earlier fatal case of P. fluorescens sepsis was linked to the same blood center.
- Environmental culturing failed to identify the source of P. fluorescens contamination.
Findings:
- Prolonged storage of fresh whole blood was identified as a significant risk factor.
- Laboratory studies confirmed P. fluorescens proliferation in refrigerated blood over time.
- Bacterial levels reached 10(6) to 10(7) CFU/mL after seven days of incubation.
Implications:
- Extended blood storage durations may increase the risk of transfusion-related sepsis.
- Enhanced blood screening and storage guidelines are crucial for patient safety.
- Further research into preventing bacterial growth in stored blood components is warranted.