Webinars and Podcasts

Merits and Pitfalls of Automated Bacterial Culture Methods in Improving Bacterial Safety of Platelet Concentrates

Part 1 of 3 – AABB Science and Innovation Forum:
Assessing FDA Bacterial Guidance Strategies: Perspectives from Canadian Blood Services, the American Red Cross, and OneBlood

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) presents its experience with use of the anaerobic culture, and its version of large volume delayed sampling. Though the culture methodology discussed by CBS differs from final FDA guidance methods, this discussion may provide insights when assessing guidance options as virtually all culture-based detection strategies now require the addition of anaerobic culture.

Sandra Ramirez-Arcos, PhD, BSc, MSc
Senior Scientist
Canadian Blood Services
Adjunct Professor
University of Ottawa

Dr. Ramirez-Arcos trained as a microbiologist in her native Colombia and then conducted PhD studies in Biological Sciences in Spain. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Ramirez did her post-doctoral training and worked as a research associate at the University of Ottawa. Since 2003, she has worked at Canadian Blood Services where she currently holds a Senior Scientist position. Dr. Ramirez is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Ramirez’s research projects are focused on bacterial growth dynamics during blood component storage. Her laboratory oversees the development, validation and implementation of protocols and processes for enhanced blood component safety.