<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Alsever’s solution has been used for decades as a preservative solution for storage of RBCs. From October 2005 to January 2006, unexplained hemagglutination of approximately 10 to 20 percent of RBCs stored for several days in a modified version of Alsever’s solution was noticed in quality control testing at the Canadian Blood Services Serology Laboratory. An investigation, including microbial testing,was initiated to determine the cause of the unexplained hemagglutination. The gram-negative bacterium <italic>Serratia liquefaciens</italic> was isolated from supernatant solutions of agglutinated RBCs. Further characterization of this strain revealed that it has the ability to form biofilms; presents high levels of resistance to chloramphenicol, neomycin, and gentamicin; and causes mannose-sensitive hemagglutination. The source of <italic>S. liquefaciens</italic> contamination in RBC supernatants was not found. However, this bacterium has not been isolated since January 2006 after enhanced cleaning practices were implemented in the serology laboratory where the RBCs are stored. This biofilm-forming,antibiotic-resistant <italic>S.liquefaciens</italic> strain could be directly linked to the unexplained hemagglutination observed in stored RBCs. <italic><bold>Immunohematology</bold></italic><bold>2008;24:39–44.</bold></p></abstract>

Alsever’s solution has been used for decades as a preservative solution for storage of RBCs. From October 2005 to January 2006, unexplained hemagglutination of approximately 10 to 20 percent of RBCs stored for several days in a modified version of Alsever’s solution was noticed in quality control testing at the Canadian Blood Services Serology Laboratory. An investigation, including microbial testing,was initiated to determine the cause of the unexplained hemagglutination. The gram-negative bacterium Serratia liquefaciens was isolated from supernatant solutions of agglutinated RBCs. Further characterization of this strain revealed that it has the ability to form biofilms; presents high levels of resistance to chloramphenicol, neomycin, and gentamicin; and causes mannose-sensitive hemagglutination. The source of S. liquefaciens contamination in RBC supernatants was not found. However, this bacterium has not been isolated since January 2006 after enhanced cleaning practices were implemented in the serology laboratory where the RBCs are stored. This biofilm-forming,antibiotic-resistant S.liquefaciens strain could be directly linked to the unexplained hemagglutination observed in stored RBCs. Immunohematology2008;24:39–44.

Unexplained agglutination of stored red blood cells in Alsever’s solution caused by the gram-negative bacterium <italic>Serratia liquefaciens</italic>

Immunohematology

Unexplained agglutination of stored red blood cells in Alsever’s solution caused by the gram-negative bacterium 

Alsever’s solution has been used for decades as a preservative solution for storage of RBCs. From October 2005 to January 2006, unexplained hemagglutination of...

Unexplained agglutination of stored red blood cells in Alsever’s solution caused by the gram-negative bacterium Serratia liquefaciens

Article Category: Original Report

Published Online: Mar 21, 2020

Page range: 39 - 44

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/immunohematology-2019-262

Keywords
hemagglutination, red blood cells, Alsever’s solution,

© 2008 I. Martincic, et al., published by Sciendo