Sterility testing of blood products in 1994/1995 by three cooperating blood banks in the Netherlands

Background and objectives: Dutch regulations require blood banks to check the sterility of random blood components to detect contamination during preparation. Materials and methods: We reviewed the results of two years' testing, using standard bacteriologic methods. Results: Of all tested components, 0.5% were contaminated, with Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most frequently detected microorganism. Platelet concentrates showed higher rates of contamination, especially when pooled. Leukocyte-depleted red cell concentrates showed much lower contamination than red cell concentrates that had not been leuko-depleted. Conclusions: The rate of contamination compares well with that reported by others in the literature. Since most contamination occurs from the phlebotomy site, most of the bacteria detected were derived from the skin. Leukocyte reduction lowers the rate of contamination.