Riboflavin and ultraviolet light: impact on dengue virus infectivity.
BACKGROUND
Dengue viruses (DENV 1-4) are emerging across the world, and these viruses pose a risk to transfusion safety. Pathogen inactivation may be an alternative approach for managing the risk of DENV transfusion transmission. This study aimed to investigate the ability of riboflavin and UV light to inactivate DENV 1-4 in platelet concentrates.


METHODS
DENV 1-4 were spiked into buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates in additive solution (SSP+) before being treated with riboflavin and UV light. Infectious virus was quantified pre- and posttreatment, and the reduction in viral infectivity was calculated.


RESULTS
All four DENV serotypes were modestly reduced after treatment. The greatest amount of reduction in infectivity was observed for DENV-4 (1·81 log reduction) followed by DENV-3 (1·71 log reduction), DENV-2 (1·45 log reduction) and then DENV-1 (1·28 log reduction).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that DENV 1-4 titres are modestly reduced following treatment with riboflavin and UV light. With the increasing number of transfusion-transmitted cases of DENV around the globe, and the increasing incidence and geographical distribution of DENV, additional approaches for maintaining blood safety may be required in the future.
Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. hfaddy@redcrossblood.org.au.|School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. hfaddy@redcrossblood.org.au.
H M
HM
Faddy
Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
J J
JJ
Fryk
Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
D
D
Watterson
Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
P R
PR
Young
Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
N
N
Modhiran
Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
D A
DA
Muller
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO, USA.
S D
SD
Keil
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO, USA.
R P
RP
Goodrich
Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
D C
DC
Marks
D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D058731:Blood Safety; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D065288:Serogroup; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D038301:Virus Inactivation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012256:Riboflavin
dengue; emerging infectious disease; pathogen inactivation; safety; transfusion