Pathogen inactivation in blood products.

Area of Science:

• Blood Transfusion Safety
• Microbial Disinfection
• Pathogen Screening

Background:

• The economic value of blood and the AIDS epidemic necessitate enhanced pathogen screening for donated blood.
• Blood product disinfection is crucial due to screening window periods where infections may be undetectable.
• Conventional disinfection methods damage cellular blood components, limiting their application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and highlight novel approaches for disinfecting blood and its derivatives.
• To address the need for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, yeasts, protozoa, and prions.
• To overcome limitations of existing disinfection techniques for cellular blood fractions.

Main Methods:

• Review of emerging disinfection strategies for blood products.
• Discussion of targeted chemotherapy, photochemotherapy, and photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy.
• Evaluation of pathogen selectivity and collateral damage considerations.

Main Results:

• Conventional methods like solvent-detergent treatment and UV irradiation are unsuitable for cellular blood components.
• New approaches aim for broad-spectrum efficacy, including against prion agents.
• Targeted chemotherapy and photochemotherapy show promise for blood product disinfection.

Conclusions:

• Improved disinfection methods are vital for blood safety, especially for cellular components.
• Novel strategies are being developed to address a wide range of pathogens, including prions.
• The development of safe and effective blood disinfection techniques remains a critical area of research.