Inactivation of viruses in platelet and plasma products using a riboflavin-and-UV-based photochemical treatment.
BACKGROUND
Multilayered blood safety programs reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted diseases; however, there remains a risk of window period transmission of screened viruses and transmission of unscreened and emerging viruses from asymptomatic donors. To reduce this risk, a riboflavin-and-UV-light-based pathogen reduction process was evaluated against eight viral agents.


METHODS
Riboflavin and UV light was evaluated against the following eight viral agents: encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), influenza A (FLUAV), La Crosse virus (LACV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), sindbis virus (SINV), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Before treatment, a sample was removed to determine the product's initial viral load. After treatment the product's viral load was reevaluated and the log reduction was calculated.


RESULTS
Virus reduction after treatment with riboflavin and UV light is equivalent in platelet (PLT) and plasma units, as demonstrated by a 3.2-log reduction of EMC in plasma, PLTs, and PLT additive solution containing 35% plasma. Additionally, the following viral reductions values were observed: HAV 1.8 log, HCV at least 4.1 log, FLUAV at least 5.0 log, LACV at least 3.5 log, PRV 2.5 log, SINV 3.2 log, and VSV at least 6.3 log.


CONCLUSIONS
The results observed in this study suggest that treating PLT and plasma products with a riboflavin-and-UV-light-based pathogen reduction process could potentially eliminate window period transmission of screened viruses and greatly reduce the risk of transfusion transmission of unscreened viruses.
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Shawn D
SD
Keil
Biobanque de Picardie, EA4294, UPJV, CHU-Amiens, Amiens, France.
Abderrahmane
A
Bengrine
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Richard
R
Bowen
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Susanne
S
Marschner
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Nick
N
Hovenga
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Lindsay
L
Rouse
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Denise
D
Gilmour
Biobanque de Picardie, EA4294, UPJV, CHU-Amiens, Amiens, France.
Gilles
G
Duverlie
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Raymond P
RP
Goodrich
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology*; D012328:RNA Viruses; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D019562:Viral Load; D038301:Virus Inactivation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012256:Riboflavin