In vitro photochemical inactivation of cell-associated human T-cell leukemia virus Type I and II in human platelet concentrates and plasma by use of amotosalen.
BACKGROUND
Human T-cell leukemia virus Types I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II), blood-borne retroviruses found worldwide, can cause leukemia, immunosuppression, and severe neurologic diseases. In most countries, HTLV-I and -II screening is not performed systematically for blood donations. A new photochemical treatment (PCT) with a synthetic psoralen was developed to inactivate most pathogens in platelet (PLT) concentrates or plasma and to improve the safety of blood donations.


METHODS
Cell-associated HTLV-I or -II (10(6)/mL) was inoculated in full-size fresh PLT concentrates or fresh frozen plasma and treated with 150 micromol per L amotosalen (S-59) and different doses of long-wavelength ultraviolet A (UVA) light. The residual viral titer in the treated samples was assessed by a cocultivation assay on indicator cells.


RESULTS
The inactivation obtained at a 3.0 J per cm2 UVA dose was greater than 5.2 log foci-forming units (FFUs) per mL for HTLV-I and 4.6 log FFUs per mL for HTLV-II in presence of human PLT concentrates and greater than 4.5 log FFUs per mL for HTLV-I and 5.7 log FFUs per mL for HTLV-II in the presence of human plasma. The residual infectivity was very low and shown as the limit of detection of the cocultivation assay.


CONCLUSIONS
In human plasma or PLT concentrates, the retroviruses HTLV-I and -II were strongly sensitive to the PCT with 150 micromol per L amotosalen (S-59) and a 3.0 J per cm2 UVA dose. This high efficiency for photoinactivation of these retroviruses opens a possibility of improving the safety of PLTs or plasma transfusion in the future.
Laboratory of Virology (EA2968), Victor Segalen University Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
Valérie
V
Jauvin
Ryan D
RD
Alfonso
Bernard
B
Guillemain
Kent
K
Dupuis
Hervé J A
HJ
Fleury
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000821:virology*; D011564:Furocoumarins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology*; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
D011564:Furocoumarins; C118577:amotosalen