Inactivation of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in plasma products using a riboflavin-based and ultraviolet light-based photochemical treatment.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been identified as a potential threat to the safety of blood products. The Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technology System uses riboflavin and ultraviolet (UV) light to render blood-borne pathogens noninfectious while maintaining blood product quality. Here, we report on the efficacy of riboflavin and UV light against MERS-CoV when tested in human plasma.



MERS-CoV (EMC strain) was used to inoculate plasma units that then underwent treatment with riboflavin and UV light. The infectious titers of MERS-CoV in the samples before and after treatment were determined by plaque assay on Vero cells. The treatments were initially performed in triplicate using pooled plasma (n = 3) and then repeated using individual plasma units (n = 6).



In both studies, riboflavin and UV light reduced the infectious titer of MERS-CoV below the limit of detection. The mean log reductions in the viral titers were ≥4.07 and ≥4.42 for the pooled and individual donor plasma, respectively.



Riboflavin and UV light effectively reduced the titer of MERS-CoV in human plasma products to below the limit of detection, suggesting that the treatment process may reduce the risk of transfusion transmission of MERS-CoV.
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Shawn D
SD
Keil
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.
Richard
R
Bowen
Terumo BCT, Lakewood, Colorado.
Susanne
S
Marschner
D000818:Animals; D058731:Blood Safety; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014709:Vero Cells; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D038301:Virus Inactivation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
D012256:Riboflavin