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Pathogen reduction technology: methods, status of clinical trials, and future prospects
1Cerus Corporation and Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 2411 Stanwell Drive, Concord, CA 94520, USA. larry_corash@ceruscorp.com
Current Hematology Reports
|October 17, 2003
Summary
Transfusion-transmitted infections remain a risk despite donor screening. New pathogen inactivation technologies offer a promising approach to enhance blood transfusion safety and prevent disease transmission.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) from viruses, bacteria, and protozoa pose a significant public health concern.
- The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in the 1980s underscored the critical need for robust blood safety measures.
- Despite advances in donor screening and testing, TTIs persist, with emerging pathogens like West Nile virus posing ongoing risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical context and ongoing challenges of transfusion-transmitted infections.
- To highlight the development and clinical introduction of pathogen inactivation technologies for blood products.
- To assess the potential of these new technologies to further improve blood transfusion safety.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature and clinical data on TTIs.
- Analysis of the evolution of donor screening and testing protocols.
- Examination of emerging pathogen inactivation technologies and their implementation.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in reducing TTIs through donor screening and testing over three decades.
- Emerging infectious agents continue to pose a threat to blood supply safety.
- Pathogen inactivation technologies have been developed and implemented, offering a new layer of protection.
Conclusions:
- While donor screening is foundational, it is not foolproof against all infectious agents.
- Pathogen inactivation technologies represent a significant advancement in mitigating the risk of TTIs.
- These technologies hold the potential to revolutionize blood transfusion safety, offering a paradigm shift in preventing transfusion-associated infections.