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. 2019 Apr;46(2):111-113.
doi: 10.1159/000499543. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Extension of the Storage Period of Platelet Concentrates in Germany to 5 Days by Bacterial Testing: Is it Worth the Effort?

Tanja Vollmer  1 , Dennis Hinse  1 , Jürgen Diekmann  1 , Cornelius Knabbe  1 , Jens Dreier  1
Affiliations

Extension of the Storage Period of Platelet Concentrates in Germany to 5 Days by Bacterial Testing: Is it Worth the Effort?

Tanja Vollmer et al. Transfus Med Hemother. 2019 Apr.

Abstract

The shelf life of platelet concentrates (PCs) was limited in Germany to 4 days after the day of production because platelet-related septic complications had been observed, mainly with PCs at the end of their shelf life. The reduction in PC shelf life gives rise to several problems, including an increased number of discarded products, accompanied by potential challenges of how to ensure an adequate supply of platelet products. The aim of this study was to show routine experience over the last 7 years using the Bactiflow (BF) assay to screen for bacterial contamination late in PC storage, followed by extension of PC shelf life.

Keywords: Bacterial screening; BactiFlow; Extension of shelf life; Platelet concentrates.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Overview of age of PCs at transfusion, proportion of PCs screened for bacterial contamination on day 4 with BF flow cytometry, as well as proportion of PCs with extended storage period to 5 days from 2010 to 2017. a: Age of PCs at transfusion, b: proportion of BF-tested PCs in relation to the total production, relation of BF-tested versus untested PCs transfused on day 4, proportion of PCs available for transfusion on day 5 after extension of PC shelf life due to negative BF results.
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