[Pathogen inactivation in platelet concentrates: the French experience]

The transfusion of platelet concentrates is increasing in oncohematology patients due to chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell grafts. The transmission of pathogenic agents, viruses, parasites and especially bacteria with platelet concentrates stored at room temperature (20-24°C) is associated with a septic risk, partly prevented by bacterial detection. Photochemical inactivation of platelet concentrates, using a technique associating amotosalen and UVA, has been used for five years in a French region for the whole population and a large spectrum of patients, with efficacy and safety. Universal implementation of pathogen inactivation in labile blood products is a major and key step to improve safety against infection in transfusion.