Abstract
We analyzed the influence of the environment on bacterial contamination in 431 bone allografts from 97 donors (68 multiorgan, grafts taken in the operation theater; 29 morgue donors). From each bone transplant we cultured two aerobic and two anaerobic tissue specimens. The overall contamination rate was 49% (theater 51%, morgue 40%). In grafts explanted in the morgue, we noted more pathogenic microorganisms (60%) than in multiorgan donors, explanted under aseptic surgical conditions (33%). We conclude that the harvesting environment constitutes the major source of pathogenic microorganisms.