Is your blood bag safe for transfusion? Bacterial screening of donor blood and its components: An essential infection control tool for safe transfusion practice

Abstract

Introduction: Transfusion-associated bacterial sepsis is still a major public health concern that has received little attention. Data on bacterial contamination of blood are scarce, despite rising demand for blood transfusions. Blood bags intended for transfusion should be free of microorganisms. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, identify the microorganisms involved in bacterial contamination of donor blood and blood components and determine blood products most likely to be contaminated, received in microbiology laboratory for sterility testing. Settings and Design: The study was carried out in the department of microbiology in association with the transfusion medicine department of tertiary care hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh from January 2023 to June 2023. Methodology: A total of 87 cellular blood components were tested aerobically for bacterial contamination using the BD BACTEC™ FX 40 automated culture system. For incubation, culture vials that showed positive signals were subcultured onto a set of solid media followed by bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: The overall prevalence rate was 14.9% (whole blood 18.75%, platelets 14.2%, packed cells 13.3% and fresh frozen plasma 10.5%). The contaminants were Aeromonas hydrophila, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Escherichia coli, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Delftia acidovorans, and Candida albicans. Discussion: The bacterial contamination in blood products suggests the patient who receives blood products is at risk of developing infection. Implementing proper blood transfusion policies, donor screening and technical staff training will all help to reduce the contamination rate of blood and blood components. Conclusion: Bacterial contamination of blood bags indicates a potential risk of healthcare-associated infection. Microbiological Sterility testing for donor blood bags in blood banks should be used as mandatory infection control Tool for Quality assurance.