Evaluation of a universal point‐of‐issue assay for bacterial detection in buffy coat platelet components

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates poses a major post‐transfusion infectious risk. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the BacTx ^® assay (Immunetics Inc.) for bacterial detection in leucocyte‐reduced buffy coat platelet pools and for its sensitivity in detecting clinical isolates, including bacteria that form surface‐attached aggregates (biofilm positives). Platelet pools were inoculated at bacterial concentrations of 0·8–13 CFU/ml. The BacTx ^® assay detected all species at concentrations ≥10³ CFU/ml within 20–69 h of platelet incubation. Detection of slow‐growing and biofilm‐forming strains was delayed in comparison with the other strains. This assay could be used as a point‐of‐issue method to increase the safety of the platelet supply.