Validation of Microbiological Testing in Cardiovascular Tissue Banks: Results of a Quality Round Trial

De By and colleagues evaluated microbiological testing and decontamination methods of heart valve allografts in cardiovascular tissue banks by means of an international quality round. Twenty cardiovascular tissue banks were sent human heart valve tissue samples that had been purposely contaminated with microorganisms known to the participants. In some tissue banks, contaminant identification and tissue decontamination were not effective. The authors conclude that this finding underscores the need for harmonization based on validated methods.