Microbiological analysis of cryopreserved human heart valves after storage: a survey of 3 banks in Spain

• Published in: Cell and tissue banking Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 345 - 349
• Main Authors: Villalba, R., Mirabet, V., Rendal, E., González, A. I., Solves, P., Andión, C., Gómez Villagrán, J. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-11-2009; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Bacteria; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blood & organ donations; Bone marrow, stem cells transplantation. Graft versus host reaction; Brief Communication; Cell Biology; Child; Contamination; Cryopreservation; Data Collection; Follow-Up Studies; Heart; Heart Valves - microbiology; Heart Valves - transplantation; Humans; Life Sciences; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Spain; Storage; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tissue Banks; Tissue engineering; Transfusions. Complications. Transfusion reactions. Cell and gene therapy; Transplant Surgery; Transplantation, Homologous - adverse effects; Europe; Spain; Valve banking; Adverse effects; Microbial culture; Liquid nitrogen; Human; Toxicity; Nitrogen; Heart valve; Liquid; Survey; Organ preservation; Microbiological investigation; Storage; Surveillance; Cryopreservation; Analysis; Secondary effect; Graft; Cultural aspect; Culture
• ISSN: 1389-9333; 1573-6814
• DOI: 10.1007/s10561-009-9133-4

Several reports have shown liquid nitrogen containers as not being sterile. Microorganism transmission has been observed in different cells and tissues stored under this condition, but there is no data on contamination of stored human valves. We performed a survey on heart valve banking in Spain. Regarding the questionnaire, we have a complete microbiological analysis of 304 thawed tissues prior to implant. In six cases positive culture results were observed. Patient follow-up did not reveal any adverse effects. Although some other possibilities should be stated, contamination of heart valves during storage in liquid nitrogen should be considered as a risk element in tissue banking. Strategies to asses and prevent microbial transmission from liquid nitrogen to heart valve banking ought to be further developed.