Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 For reducing bacterial contamination of platelets in the medium, FDA has approved the Bact/Alert for screening the platelet units. This study attempts to compare the Bact/Alert system and the manual culture method as far as the length of time in hours of detection is concerned.

 Materials and Methods

 In this interventional and diagnostic study, 15 platelet units were selected randomly among 1332 units and inoculated with 10 CFU/ml of various bacteria including Streptococci, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, Corynebacterium diphteroid, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis which normally contaminate platelet units. These units together with other platelet units in a blind way were tested by both Bact/Alert system and the manual method.

 Results

 Regarding the short expiration time of platelet units, if the length of time in hours in detection is considered as a basis for comparison, the Bact/Alert system is significantly superior to the manual method. The medium length of time in hours for detecting the aerobic bacteria by Bact/Alert system is 31 ± 8 hours, compared with the manual method which is 61 ± 11 hours. This shows that Bact/Alert system is nearly 2 times faster than the manual method.

 Conclusions

 Bact/Alert culture system compared with the manual method is more rapid and accurate for detection of bacterial contamination thereby improving platelet safety. Regarding serious effects of these contaminations on platelet recipients, it is also necessary to try to reduce them by using GMP.