PCR-Based Detection of Bacterial Agents in Platelet Concentrates and Whole Blood (First Study)

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates is discussed worldwide and according to literature occuring in 1:1000 to 1:5000 concentrates. Bacterial contaminated concentrates can in fact cause severe infections in patients. therefore this study initially intends to detect contamination with "bacterial DNA" in platelet aphereses concentrates. All sample donations are also examined by blood culture for contamination. To exclude already existing "infection" of the donor one tube of whole blood is taken in addition to the other legally required samples for the production of pharmaceutical medicine. All samples are anonymised before passed on for analysing.