Pantopikou K, Papasotiriou I
Title Bacterial detection in cancer samples. Background Bacterial contamination follow up is an integral part of quality control for blood sample handling and processing. Blood sample contamination is promoted by inappropriate blood drawing practices or laboratory environments. This study investigated the presence of Gram-positive bacteria in the skin microenvironment that are capable of causing serious infections in cancer patients. Moreover, this study examined whether such contamination is caused by a lack of appropriate disinfection during blood collection, which may facilitate entry of skin bacteria into the bloodstream, or by downstream mishandling of samples by laboratory staff before or during analysis. Alternatively, blood contamination may result from an undiagnosed infection, such as Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods and findings The bacteria described above have been detected by polymerase chain reaction (P.C.R). Our results revealed that 82% of examined samples were contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus prior to any further blood processing. Conclusion The presence of Staphylococcus aureus before any blood processing indicating bacterial contamination results from incorrect venipuncture practices or the presence of an underlying infection that has yet to be diagnosed
