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Published on: February 14, 2017
Filtration of methylene blue-photooxidized plasma: influence on coagulation and cellular contamination
J Riggert1, A Humpe, T J Legler
1Department of Transfusion Medicine, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. jrigger@med.uni-goettingen.de
Background:
Virus inactivation of plasma can be achieved by photodynamic methods in the presence of phenothiazine dyes such as methylene blue (MB). Subsequent filtration may increase the efficacy of virus inactivation and reduce adverse effects of WBC contamination and MB.
Study Design And Methods:
This study examined the effect of filtration with three different filters (MBF1, MBF2, and MBF3) on MB concentration, residual cells, coagulation factors, and activation measures of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement in MB-treated (1 microM/L) plasma units.
Results:
Filtration reduced the concentration of MB by > or = 89 percent. WBCs were depleted by 92 percent (MBF1) and >99.9 percent (MBF2 and MBF3). Treatment with MB significantly decreased the coagulation potency from levels in untreated plasma, as measured by thromboplastin time ratio (112 +/- 18% vs. 95 +/- 11%), activated partial thromboplastin time (40 +/- 3 sec vs. 44 +/- 3 sec), thrombin time (16.9 +/- 1.1 sec vs. 18.6 +/- 1.5 sec), factor VIII (1.09 +/- 0.21 U/mL vs. 0.85 +/- 0.13 U/mL), and vWF (0.94 +/- 0.65 U/mL vs. 0.65 +/- 0.24 U/mL). Filtration did not further decrease these values, while factor XI (0.75 +/- 0.22 U/mL vs. 0.37 +/- 0.20 U/mL) and prekallikrein values decreased in MB plasma units filtered with the MBF3. In addition, activated factor XII (0.7 +/- 0.5 microg/L vs. 4.5 +/- 1.0 microg/L) increased.
Conclusion:
WBCs and MB can be eliminated from MB-treated plasma units by filtration. Differences in biocompatibility of the different filters, especially the influence on the contact phase of coagulation, must be taken into consideration.
Insights
Filtration effectively removes white blood cells (WBCs) and methylene blue (MB) from treated plasma. Filter choice impacts coagulation, highlighting the need for biocompatibility considerations in plasma processing.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Hematology
- Plasma Processing
Background:
- Photodynamic methods using methylene blue (MB) can inactivate viruses in plasma.
- Filtration post-treatment may enhance virus inactivation and reduce adverse effects from WBC contamination and residual MB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of three distinct filters (MBF1, MBF2, MBF3) on MB concentration, residual cells, and coagulation parameters in MB-treated plasma.
Main Methods:
- Plasma units treated with MB (1 microM/L) were filtered using MBF1, MBF2, and MBF3 filters.
- Assessed MB concentration, WBC depletion, coagulation factors, and activation markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement.
Main Results:
- Filtration reduced MB concentration by ≥89% and depleted WBCs by 92% (MBF1) to >99.9% (MBF2, MBF3).
- MB treatment decreased coagulation potency; filtration did not further alter most parameters, except for a decrease in factor XI and prekallikrein with MBF3.
- Activated factor XII levels increased post-filtration.
Conclusions:
- Filtration successfully eliminates WBCs and MB from treated plasma units.
- The biocompatibility of different filters, particularly their effect on the contact phase of coagulation, requires careful consideration for clinical application.
