Scientific Journal of

  Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Bacterial contamination of blood components is the major residual infectious risk in modern blood transfusion medicine. This problem especially concerns platelet concentrates because of their favourable growth conditions. Lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) is an iron-sequestering protein in the antibacterial innate immune response, which binds to the bacterial siderophores and prevents bacterial iron uptake. This study aimed to imply antibacterial property of Lcn2 as a bacteriostatic agent to prevent platelet- bacterial contamination.

 Materials and Methods

 In this experimental study minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Lcn2 was determined following 24 hour incubation at 20-24°C. Antibacterial effects of Lcn2 was then evaluated in the platelet concentrates medium simultaneously inoculating with variety concentration of the bacteria at 20-24°C.

 Results

 Following cultivating of platelets-derived products containing Lcn2 and variety concentration of the bacteria, the results revealed that Lcn2 at concentration of 40 ng/ml effectively inhibited the growth of 1.5×10⁴ CFU/ml Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. This concentration of Lcn2 also inhibited the growth of 1.5×10³ CFU/ml Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. 

 Conclusions

 Recombinant Lcn2 inhibited growth of variety of platelet-contaminating bacteria. By using Lcn2 in platelet concentrate it may reduce bacterial contamination. However, to use it in clinic further and complementary studies are required.