Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary Sciences

A constant risk factor of transfusion is microbial contamination of whole blood and its components. Because using contaminated blood products can lead to sepsis and high risks to the health of recipients. Blood can be a good nutrient medium for microorganisms, so the risk of bacteria growth in any blood component after it has been donated is significant. Violation in the rules of asepsis during blood donation, processing of blood products, damage to blood collection systems or their tightness, etc. can cause microbial contamination. We examined 5 samples of preserved canine packed red blood cells. The donor animals were 5 clinically healthy dogs. Blood was collected in closed systems with a CPDA anticoagulant. After following centrifuging, plasma was separated from red blood cells in different containers. The remaining packed red blood cells were stored at a temperature of +2–6°C for 30 days. The bacteria cultivation method is considered the “gold standard” for assessing the presence of microbial contamination in most blood transfusion centers. The tested canine packed red blood cells samples were inoculated into thioglycolate and Sabouraud media and incubated in a thermostat at +20–25 °C. The incubation period was 14 days. According to the results of the bacteriological examination of these samples of canine packed red blood cells after their storage, a non-sterile sample was no found. Thereby, the method of blood collection using closed systems with CPDA anticoagulant is reliable and allows obtaining donor blood and its components without loss of sterility during long-term storage.

canine packed red blood cells, microbial contamination, donor blood sterility