Nationwide Implementation of Pathogen Inactivation for All Platelet Concentrates in Switzerland
Open Access
- 1 January 2018
- journal article
- research article
- Published by S. Karger AG in Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy
- Vol. 45 (3), 151-156
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000489900
Abstract
Introduction: Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) has been identified as the most prevalent transfusion-associated infectious risk. To prevent PC-related septic transfusion reactions, the Intercept (R) pathogen inactivation procedure was introduced for all PCs in Switzerland in 2011. Methods: Based on numbers of transfused units and mandatorily reported adverse events with high imputability, we compare the risks associated with transfusion of conventional PCs (cPCs) and pathogen-inactivated PCs (PI-PCs). Results: From 2005 to 2011, a total of 158,502 cPCs have been issued in Switzerland, and 16 transfusion-transmitted bacterial infections (including 3 fatalities) were reported. This corresponds to a morbidity and mortality rate of ca. 1:9,900 and 1:52,800, respectively. From 2011 to 2016, a total of 205,574 PI-PCs have been issued, and no transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection was reported. Despite continuously increasing transfusion reaction rates per 1,000 RBC and plasma issued between 2008 and 2016, we observed reductions of 66% for life-threatening and fatal reactions and of 26% for all high-imputability transfusion reactions related to PI-PCs as compared to cPCs. No increased rates of bleeding or clinical observations of ineffectiveness of PI-PCs have been reported. After implementation of PI-PCs, the annual increase in platelet usage per 1,000 inhabitants decelerated. Discussion: Swiss hemovigilance data confirm a favorable safety profile of the nationwide introduced Intercept pathogen inactivation procedure and its reliable prevention of septic transfusion reactions and fatalities due to bacterially contaminated PCs. (c) 2018 S. Karger GmbH, FreiburgKeywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Determination of acute lung injury after repeated platelet transfusionsBlood, 2011
- Pathogen Inactivation of Platelet and Plasma Blood Components for Transfusion Using the INTERCEPT Blood SystemTMTransfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 2011
- The cost‐effectiveness of pathogen reduction technology as assessed using a multiple risk reduction modelTransfusion, 2010
- Screening of platelets for bacterial contamination at the Welsh Blood ServiceTransfusion Medicine, 2010
- The cost‐effectiveness of introducing nucleic acid testing to test for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus among blood donors in SwedenTransfusion, 2010
- Limiting and detecting bacterial contamination of apheresis platelets: inlet‐line diversion and increased culture volume improve component safetyTransfusion, 2009
- The impact of discontinuation of 7-day storage of apheresis platelets (PASSPORT) on recipient safety: an illustration of the need for proper risk assessmentsTransfusion, 2009
- Effects of skin disinfection method, deviation bag, and bacterial screening on clinical safety of platelet transfusions in the NetherlandsTransfusion, 2006
- Bacterial Detection of Platelets: Current Problems and Possible ResolutionsTransfusion Medicine Reviews, 2005
- Therapeutic efficacy and safety of platelets treated with a photochemical process for pathogen inactivation: the SPRINT TrialBlood, 2004