Pathogen reduction using riboflavin and UV light

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Pathogen reduction using riboflavin and UV light is a method by which infectious pathogens in blood for transfusion are inactivated by adding riboflavin and irradiating with UV light.[1][2][3] This method reduces the infectious levels of disease-causing agents that may be found in donated blood components, while still maintaining good quality blood components for transfusion. This type of approach to increase blood safety is also known as “pathogen inactivation” in the industry.

Despite measures that are in place in the developed world to ensure the safety of blood products for transfusion, a risk of disease transmission still exists. Consequently, the development of pathogen inactivation/reduction technologies for blood products has been an ongoing effort in the field of transfusion medicine. A new procedure for the treatment of individual units of single-donor (apheresis) or whole blood–derived, pooled, platelets has recently been introduced. This technology uses riboflavin and light for the treatment of PLTs and plasma.

Method

This pathogen reduction process involves adding riboflavin (vitamin B2) to the blood component, which is then placed into an illuminator where it is exposed to UV light for about five to ten minutes. Exposure to UV light activates riboflavin and when it is associated with nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), riboflavin causes a chemical alteration to functional groups of the nucleic acids thereby making pathogens unable to replicate.[1][4][5] In this way the process prevents viruses, bacteria, parasites and white blood cells, from replicating and causing disease.[6][7]

UV Light + Riboflavin → Irreversible Inactivation

This method using riboflavin and UV light renders pathogens harmless by using a non-mutagenic, non-toxic method. Riboflavin and its photoproducts are already present in the human body and do not need to be removed from blood products prior to transfusion.[1]

Examples of pathogens inactivated by this method

Application

The riboflavin and UV light method for pathogen reduction of platelets and plasma is in routine use in multiple countries throughout Europe.[10][11][12][13] This same process is currently in development for the treatment of whole blood, resulting in pathogen reduction of the three components (RBCs, platelets and plasma).

References

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  10. CaridianBCT. (2010, June 23). CaridianBCT’s Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technologies System Selected to Increase Safety of Poland’s Blood Supply. [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.caridianbct.com/location/north-america/about-caridianbct/press-room/Pages/23JUN,2010-CaridianBCTMirasolPathogenReductionTechnologiesSystemSelectedtoIncreaseSafetyofPoland%E2%80%99sBloodSupply.aspx
  11. Business Wire. (2010, July 20). Belgian Red Cross-Flanders Selects CaridianBCT’s Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology System. [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100720007038/en/Belgian-Red-Cross-Flanders-Selects-CaridianBCT%E2%80%99s-Mirasol%C2%AE-Pathogen
  12. All Business. (2008, October 6). Warsaw Blood Center Selects CaridianBCT for Mirasol PRT. [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.allbusiness.com/medicine-health/public-health-blood-supply-donations/11595632-1.html
  13. Healthcare Technology Online. (2008, August 6). CaridianBCT Receives CE Mark for Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technology System for Plasma. [Press Release]. Retrieved from http://www.healthcaretechnologyonline.com/article.mvc/CaridianBCT-Receives-CE-Mark-For-Mirasol-0001?VNETCOOKIE=NO