Analysis of Bacterial Detection in Whole Blood–Derived Platelets by Quantitative Glucose Testing at a University Medical Center

A. Victoria McKane, Nancy Ward, Chris Senn, Julie Eubanks, Linda Wessels, Robert Bowman
2009 American Journal of Clinical Pathology  
A b s t r a c t After the March 2004 implementation of American Association of Blood Banks standards regarding platelet bacterial detection, we began quantitative glucose screening of whole blood-derived platelets (WB-P). The glucose level was measured immediately before component release-often storage day 4 or 5-using the Glucometer SureStep Flexx Meter (LifeScan, Milpitas, CA), with a positive cutoff of less than 500 mg/dL; failing units were cultured and not transfused. During 29 months
more » ... h 1, 2004-July 31, 2006 93,073 units of WB-P were tested. Initially, 929 units (0.998%) screened positively. Bacterial growth was culture-confirmed in 6 units, for a bacterial contamination incidence of 0.006% and a true-positive rate of 6.4/100,000. Three additional culture-confirmed contamination cases were detected in transfused units causing febrile nonhemolytic reactions, for a false-negative rate of 3.2/100,000. Our overall contamination prevalence was 9.6/100,000 units of platelets transfused, lower than ordinarily cited, and showed a false-negative rate remarkably congruent to that of culture: 3.2/100,000. A low-sensitivity screening test applied late in platelet shelf-life can be comparable to culture in preventing bacterial-related morbidity.
doi:10.1309/ajcpvn9ot4grcsko pmid:19289590 fatcat:tkg3gqcv65f3bhmp7apiemt6zu