Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates by Proprionibacterium acnes.

In this study, three incidents of platelet contamination by Proprionibacter ium acnes and an investigation of the transfusion process have been reporte d, which occurred at the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Blood Center over a period of s everal months. P. acnes is a bacterium that is present in the cutaneous flo ra; it does not produce any toxin, and is rarely considered as a pathogenic agent; its occurrence is widespread, in particular in those regions that a re rich in sebum (face, back, scalp), and it is extremely apparent during a dolescence. The three incidents occurred following the transfusion of a poo l of leucodepleted platelet concentrates obtained from immunodeficient pati ents. The clinical outcome was in all cases positive. It was considered tha t the bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates could reflect insuff icient skin disinfection at the site of the venipuncture and a minimal bact erial risk involving the blood collection procedure. (C) 2000 Editions scie ntifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.