Question

2. Blood transfusions are safe and life-saving procedures, sometimes, despite strict screening protocol blood sample could be contaminated. Discuss some pathogens that could be present in the donated blood ? this is microbiology? 225-250 word count please and ACCURATE answers thank you.

Answer 1

The common pathogens of stored blood for transfusions could include bacteria- gram positive and gram negative . It could lead to sepsis which is a condition in which the body responds to harmful microbes in the blood and the organs malfunction ,shock and could lead to death. Blood contamination by gram negative bacteria is more severe and has a faster onset rate .Contamination of blood could occur anytime from collection of blood from donor or during processing and storing.They often belong to the genus Staphylococcus spp.,Bacillus spp.,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Streoptococcus spp.and Escherichia coli. Multidrug resistance is often observed in these bacteria isolated from the contaminated blood.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus is one of the primary bacterial isolates which could be due to incorrect disinfection procedures applied during collection of blood from donor. Improper skin cleansing procedures during disinfection could be the reason for contamination by Bacillus spp.

Bacterial contamination of blood components like platelets could occur during processing of blood components. Constant agitation is required for storage of platelets which could lead to a proliferative environment for bacterial growth.

Of the blood components , red blood cells are infected by gram negative bacteria such as Yersinia enterocolitica and Serratia liquefaciens. Red blood cells are stored at 1°-6° C but plates are stored at 22°-24°C which makes a good environment for a broader spectrum of bacterial cells to proliferate.

Care has to be taken during collection, processing and storage of blood . The bags used for blood storage should be autoclaved properly to ensure minimal contamination.