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Analysis of predisposing factors for contamination of bone and tendon allografts

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Abstract

Bone and tissue allografts are widely used in transplantation. The increasing demand for safe allografts must be met, while minimizing disease transmission. We analysed the incidence and potential risk factors of allograft contamination and the effectiveness of disinfection, by reviewing 22 years of tissue bank activity and 474 donor procurements. We also compared different disinfection procedures used over the 22 years. The overall contamination rate was 10.1%. Risk factors were related to the donor or procurement method. Immediate culture at the tissue recovery site diminished the rate of false positives by reducing later sample manipulation. High-virulence allograft contamination was mainly related to donor factors, while low-virulence contamination was related to procurement methods. Analysis of donor-related risk factors showed no statistical differences for age, sex, or cause of death. An intensive care unit stay was associated with less contamination with high-virulence microbes. Procurement in a setting other than an operating theatre was associated with higher contamination rate. Team experience reduced contamination. Pelvic and tendon allografts were most frequently contaminated. Proper disinfection considerably reduced the contamination rate to 3.6%. We conclude that procurement must be performed under aseptic conditions, with short delays, and by trained personnel. Grafts should be disinfected and packed as soon as possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Department, Level -2/P5, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, 10 Avenue Hippocrate, 1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Thomas Schubert, Elisa Bigaré, Tom Van Isacker, Christian Delloye & Olivier Cornu

  2. Microbiology Department, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium

    Jacques Gigi

Authors
  1. Thomas Schubert
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  2. Elisa Bigaré
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  3. Tom Van Isacker
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  4. Jacques Gigi
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  5. Christian Delloye
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  6. Olivier Cornu
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Correspondence to Olivier Cornu.

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Schubert, T., Bigaré, E., Van Isacker, T. et al. Analysis of predisposing factors for contamination of bone and tendon allografts. Cell Tissue Bank 13, 421–429 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-011-9291-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-011-9291-z

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