Abstract
Background and Objectives
Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) is a longstanding problem in transfusion medicine. The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of bacterial contamination in the platelet concentrates of Tehran Blood Center by culture-based method.
 
Materials and Methods
In this cross sectional study, totally 1500 platelet concentrates were randomly selected and assayed by standard aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture methods. The PCs were collected at different time points during storage. One milliliter of each platelet concentrate was inoculated in 10 milliliter fluid Thioglycollate. The presence of bacteria was subsequently monitored. Any positive culture was further evaluated by subculture in the blood agar in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
 
Results
Of the 1500 PCs analyzed, one was found contaminated by gram negative bacteria. By further investigation it was confirmed that the responsible organism pertained to the pseudomonas spp. It was isolated on day 4 of incubation. No evidence of infection in donor was found by reviewing the donor questionnaire.
 
Conclusions 
Based on the findings of the current study, our result the contamination rate of PCs has reduced dramatically; however, the isolationfinding of the Pseudomonas spp. is suggestive of environmental contamination. The previous studies have shown that improved donor screening, better skin disinfection, and removal of initial aliquot of donors' blood play an important role in controlling the bacterial contamination rate. OurThese findings suggest that more attention should be paid to optimizing new methods for disinfection techniques and sterilization procedures for preparation premises and storage equipment.