TTD-III Bacteria: When Will We Have Achieved Adequate Safety?
Program Code: 5132-S
Saturday, October 20, 2007
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (ET)

MODERATOR
Richard Benjamin, MD, PhD, American Red Cross

SPEAKERS
James P. AuBuchon, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Richard Benjamin, MD, PhD, American Red Cross
Jean-Pierre Cazenave, MD,PhD, EFS-Alsace

DESCRIPTION
Bacterial contamination remains a major risk for transfusion of both apheresis and whole blood derived platelets. Despite the implementation of sophisticated culture techniques for the quality control of apheresis platelets, persistent reports of septic reactions highlight the limitations of this approach, while whole blood platelets continue to be screened utilizing unlicensed tests with poor sensitivity. Point of issue tests offer an additional level of safety, while pathogen inactivation technologies are increasingly being adopted by European blood centers. This session will define our current understanding of residual bacterial risks and the approaches in development for their management.