Effect of concurrent pathogen reduction (amotosalen/UVA) and gamma/x-ray irradiation on biochemical characteristics of apheresis platelets in additive solution.

Background: Pathogen reduction (PR) may be used as an alternative to gamma or x-ray irradiation (I) to prevent transfusion associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD) if the pathogen reduction technology has been shown to inactivate residual lymphocytes. However, as I is considered the gold standard for reducing the risk of TA-GVHD, some centers continue to perform I in addition to PR. This study investigated the effect of concurrent pathogen reduction and irradiation (PR/I) on the biochemical characteristics of apheresis platelets at day 1, 5, and 7 of storage at room temperature.

P38 mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitor improves platelet in vitro parameters and in vivo survival in a SCID mouse model of transfusion for platelets stored at cold or temperature cycled conditions for 14 days.

Platelets for transfusion are stored at room temperature (20-24°C) up to 7 days but decline in biochemical and morphological parameters during storage and can support bacterial proliferation. This decline is reduced with p38MAPK inhibitor, VX-702. Storage of platelets in the cold (4-6°C) can reduce bacterial proliferation but platelets get activated and have reduced circulation when transfused.

Viral reduction of human blood by ultraviolet A-photosensitized vitamin K5.

Blood product transfusion can transmit viral pathogens. Pathogen reduction methods for blood products have been developed but, so far, are not available for whole blood. We evaluated if vitamin K5 (VK5) and ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation could be used for virus inactivation in plasma and whole blood.

Synergistic bactericidal effects of pairs of photosensitizer molecules activated by ultraviolet A light against bacteria in plasma.

Background: The current approach to reducing bacterial contamination in blood transfusion products is through detection or pathogen reduction methods, some of which utilize ultraviolet (UV) light photosensitizers. A small number of photosensitizers are being used as single agents in combination with UV light, but their efficacy can be limited against some pathogens. Benzophenone (BP) and vitamins B1, B6, and K3 have been identified as effective UVA photosensitizers for inactivation of bacteria.