The Bacteriological Screening of Platelet Concentrates Stored at 22 C

Platelet concentrate prepared under routine British blood bank conditions in a closed‐bag‐system was examined for bacteriological contamination. None was found. Platelet concentrate was shown to support free multiplication from minimal inocula of several pathogenic and commensal bacterial species especially at 37 C. It is the authors' opinion that if any platelet concentrate is stored at 22 C and not used immediately after preparation, then it should be screened for bacterial growth by holding a heat sealed segment of tubing containing a representative sample of fluid overnight at 37 C and then preparing a Gram‐stained film for examination before issue of the parent bag.