Detection of bacteria in stored red cell products using a culture-based bacterial detection system.

Background: The Pall eBDS uses oxygen consumption as a surrogate marker for bacterial detection in platelet (PLT) products. This article describes the evaluation of eBDS to detect bacterial contamination in inoculated fresh and stored leukoreduced red cell (RBC) units.

Study Design And Methods: Field studies were conducted at three sites to establish eBDS pouch incubation time and the pass/fail threshold.