FATAL STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS SEPSIS FROM SINGLE-DONOR PLATELET TRANSFUSION - CASE-REPORT

Bacterial sepsis is a rare and potentially fatal complication of plate let transfusions. Bacterial contamination is estimated to occur in 2% to 6% of platelet concentrates, but clinically apparent septicemia occ urs in less than 1% of multi-donor platelet transfusions. The incidenc e of bacterial sepsis from single-donor platelet transfusions is signi ficantly lower, possibly because of shorter storage time of apharesis platelets. The authors report a case of fatal Staphylococcus aureus se psis from a single-donor platelet transfusion obtained through a close d system. They conclude that as the demand for platelet transfusion in creases, recognition of bacterial sepsis from transfusions and continu ed reassessment of procedures for collection and storage of platelet c oncentrates is warranted.