UVC Irradiation for Pathogen Reduction of Platelet Concentrates and Plasma

Besides the current efforts devoted to microbial risk reduction, pathogen inactivation technologies promise reduction of the residual risk of known and emerging infectious agents. A novel pathogen reduction process for platelets, the THERAFLEX UV-Platelets system, has been developed and is under clinical evaluation for its efficacy and safety. In addition, proof of principle has been shown for UVC treatment of plasma units. The pathogen reduction process is based on application of UVC light of a specific wavelength (254 nm) combined with intense agitation of the blood units to ensure a uniform treatment of all blood compartments. Due to the different absorption characteristics of nucleic acids and proteins, UVC irradiation mainly affects the nucleic acid of pathogens and leukocytes while proteins are largely preserved. UVC treatment significantly reduces the infectivity of platelet units contaminated by disease-causing viruses and bacteria. In addition, it inactivates residual white blood cells in the blood components while preserving platelet function and coagulation factors. Since no photoactive compound needs to be added to the blood units, photoreagent-related adverse events are excluded. Because of its simple and rapid procedure without the need to change the established blood component preparation procedures, UVC-based pathogen inactivation could easily be implemented in existing blood banking procedures.