title: Protecting the blood supply from emerging pathogens: the role of pathogen inactivation.
abstract: Although the risk of infection by blood transfusion is relatively low, breakthrough infections still occur, Transfusion-related fatalities caused by infections continue to be reported, and blood is not tested for many potentially dangerous pathogens. The current paradigm for increasing the safety of the blood supply is the development and implementation of laboratory screening methods and restrictive donor criteria. When considering the large number of known pathogens and the fact that pathogens continue to emerge, it is clear that the utility of new tests and donor restrictions will continue to be a challenge when considering the cost of developing and implementing new screening assays, the loss of potential donors, and the risk of testing errors. Despite improving the safety of blood components, testing remains a reactive approach to blood safety. The contaminating organisms must be identified before sensitive tests can be developed. In contrast, pathogen inactivation is a proactive strategy designed to inactivate a pathogen before it enters the blood supply. Almost all pathogen inactivation technologies target nucleic acids, allowing for the inactivation of a variety of nucleic acid-containing pathogens within plasma, platelets, or red blood cells thus providing the potential to reduce transfusion-transmitted diseases. However, widespread use of a pathogen inactivation technology can only be realized when proven safe and efficacious and not cost-prohibitive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Blood Centre, UK.
authors.forename: Jean Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Allain
authors.forename: Celso
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Morris A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blajchman
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Brecher
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leiby
authors.forename: Lily
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stramer
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001769:Blood / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D001771:Blood Banks; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000494:pharmacology; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D011073:Polyamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011328:Prions; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012306:Risk; D012997:Solvents; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003902:Detergents; D011564:Furocoumarins; C451719:PEN 110; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011073:Polyamines; D011328:Prions; D012997:Solvents; C118577:amotosalen; D008751:Methylene Blue; D012256:Riboflavin