Bacterial contamination

Adverse transfusion-associated reactions can occur with bacterial contamination of blood components. Most often bacterial contamination affects red blood cell concentrates and platelet concentrates. The bacterium most commonly responsible for sepsis associated with red blood cell concentrate transfusion is Yersinia enterocolitica. In platelet concentrate transfusion-associated sepsis, the bacteria most commonly contaminating platelet concentrates are Staphylococcus epidermidis. Sepsis caused by transfusing bacterially contaminated platelet concentrates is seen not uncommonly. Platelets are stored at room temperature and provide an environment for possible bacterial proliferation.