02595nas a2200265   4500008004100000020001400041024001700055245007700072210006900149260025800218300001200476490000600488520160000494653002902094653002802123653002002151100001702171700001602188700001602204700001502220700001402235700001502249700001602264856004902280       1998                        eng d  a0958-7578  abu7, 930118200aFatal Clostridium perfringens sepsis from a pooled platelet transfusion.0 aFatal Clostridium perfringens sepsis from a pooled platelet tran  a(C) 1998 Blackwell Science Ltd.b*National Blood Service, North London, Colindale  Avenue, London NW9 5BG, +West Middlesex Hospital, Middlesex TW7 6AF, and +Food  Hygiene Laboratory, Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale, London NW9 5HT,  UKc1998  a19 - 220 v83 aSUMMARY. A male patient with acute myeloid  leukaemia received a pooled platelet preparation prepared by Optipress(TM) system  on the last day of its shelf life. The patient collapsed after two-thirds of the  contents had been transfused. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from  the platelet bag within 18 h of the acute event. Metronidazole, gentamicin and Clostridium antiserum were then administered in addition to the broad spectrum  antibiotics started previously. However, the patient died 4 days after the platelets  were transfused. The cause of death was given as cardiovascular shock, entirely compatible  with an overwhelming bacteraemic and septic episode. A coroner's verdict of accidental  death due to transfusion of a contaminated unit of platelets was recorded., On  subsequent investigation Cl. perfringens type A serotype PS68,PS80 (identical  to that found in the platelet bag) was cultured from the venepuncture site of the  arm of one of the donors who contributed towards the platelet pool. The donor had  two young children and frequently changed nappies. Faecal contamination of the venepuncture  site was the suspected source for the transmission of Cl. perfringens,  an organism commonly found in the soil and intestinal tract of humans. This case  dramatically highlights the consequences of transfusing a bacterially contaminated  unit. It is vital that such incidents are investigated and reported so that the extent  of transfusion-associated bacterial transmission can be monitored and preventative  measures taken if possible., (C) 1998 Blackwell Science Ltd.10abacterial  contamination10aClostridium perfringens10apooled platelet1 aMcDonald, C.1 aHartley, S.1 aOrchard, K.1 aHughes, G.1 aBrett, M.1 aHewitt, P.1 aBarbara, J.  uhttps://www.notifylibrary.org/reference/4259