Transfusion of blood components and bacterial risk.

Initial hemovigilance data confirm the incidence and severity of transfusio n reactions due to the bacterial contamination of blood components (TRBCs). With 18 deaths reported through the French hemovigilance network over the past five years, bacterial risks represent one of the major immediate compl ications of BC transfusion. BC contamination may lead to more or less sever e TRBCs, depending on their origin: bacteria growth, the BC itself or unkno wn origin. Although the rate of donated blood or BC contamination is known (0.5% and 0.05%, respectively), it is still difficult to assess the actual incidence of TRBCs, as it is difficult to identify and relate them to trans fusion. Likewise, a better knowledge of bacteria, symptoms, and outcome is required to improve prevention methods. Better prevention can reduce BC con tamination and proliferation of bacteria at each stage of blood transfusion . Methods of detecting BC contamination are still under investigation. Thro ugh continuous education of hemovigilance participants in identifying and d ealing with TRBCs, as well as drawing up procedures to perform inquiries an d specific bacterial analyses, case reporting can be further improved, in o rder to achieve more efficient prevention. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.