KBBB 11 Posted October 17, 2018 We use multiple suppliers of panel cells as well as make an in-house panel from frozen donor cells. Over the last year we have noticed several vials in multiple lots of commercial panel cells from one supplier going dark (contaminated?) as well as our in-house panel cells that are suspended in commercial red cell storage solution. Has anyone else noticed this type of problem with any of your commercial panels? Have you ever had the problem and figured out what was causing it? We have considered fungus or bacteria getting into the vials, but can't really explain what is going on with the two different issues. We are looking at another brand of modified Alsever's solution to try for our in-house panel but that doesn't solve the commercial panel mystery. Any thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cswickard 177 Posted October 17, 2018 (edited) While it shouldn't be affecting your in-house panel, watch for shipping damage (out of temp) also on the commercial panels. Might cause the damage. We just had one CAP survey for automated Blood Bank that we had to replace 1 out of 6 tubes that was dark (and hemolysed?). Rest were ok. Edited October 17, 2018 by cswickard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
exlimey 279 Posted October 18, 2018 Is the supplier of the affected panels the same as your source for Red Cell Storage Solution (Alsevers)? 1 BBNC17 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KBBB 11 Posted October 23, 2018 The supplier of the panels and the storage solution is the same. Supplier says no one else is having a problem. If we have 2 sets of the same lot of panel, we have seen vials in one set go dark while the same vials in the other set is fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
exlimey 279 Posted October 23, 2018 7 hours ago, KBBB said: The supplier of the panels and the storage solution is the same. Supplier says no one else is having a problem. If we have 2 sets of the same lot of panel, we have seen vials in one set go dark while the same vials in the other set is fine. Interesting. I like the "no one else is having a problem" line - the implication being that the problem is a result of something done by the end user. Random contamination (darkening) seems to be the bane of red cell manufacturers. Often, the randomness is exactly as you describe: one vial bad, another of the same batch is fine. It's very difficult to pin down a cause - could be their storage solution, could be inadequate sterilization of the containers/droppers, could be shipping, etc. I doubt there will be any resolution. I would send them pictures and ask for replacements. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
galvania 738 Posted October 23, 2018 They may not be contaminated. The question is, are they working correctly? In other words, if you put up your controls, especially anti-Fya, are they working correctly? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kkattelus 10 Posted October 23, 2018 I had this happen to a set of screen cells a few years back. Seemed a bit darker. Then we started getting positive screens. I cultured the screens and grew yeast. The patients were sensitive to yeast. Sending the screens to another blood bank for testing showed them as negative. About a week later we received a notice from the company in the mail and new screen cells. Another time the company called us to let us know not to use a panel and sent a new one. It turned black at room temp immediately! I didn’t culture that one. And we have seen it happen to one cell in a panel. Culture if you can, as I’m sure you aren’t alone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
