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Evaluation of Mirasol pathogen reduction system by artificially contaminating platelet concentrates with
Kabita Chatterjee1, Shamsuz Zaman1, Rahul Chaurasia1
1Department of Transfusion Medicine, All Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Background And Objectives:
This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Mirasol pathogen reduction system for platelets aimed at preventing bacterial regrowth by spiking buffy coat pooled platelets (BCPP) with clinically relevant load of Staphylococous epidermidis.
Materials And Methods:
BCPP units were prepared using Teruflex BP-kit with Imugard III-S-PL (Terumo BCT, Tokyo, Japan). Two BCPP units were pooled, of which 40 ml of negative control (NC) was removed. The remaining volume of the platelet unit was inoculated with clinically relevant load of bacteria (total of 30 CFU of S. epidermidis in 1 ml); following this the platelet unit was split into two parts. One part served as positive control (PC) and the other part was subjected to pathogen reduction technique (Mirasol PRT, CaridianBCT Biotechnologies, Lakewood, CO, USA). Bacterial detection was performed using BacT/ALERT system, controls after day 1 and day 7 following inoculation of bacteria and on day 7 for Mirasol-treated unit.
Results:
Of the 32 treatment cycles, 28 were valid and 4 were invalid. No regrowth was observed in 96.4% (27 of 28) after treatment with Mirasol pathogen reduction system. Of four invalid tests, on two instances the NC showed growth, whereas in other 2 no regrowth was detected in 7(th) day PC. Bacterial screening of PCs by BacT/ALERT after 24 h of incubation was 28.6%, whereas the effectiveness increased to 100% when incubated for 7 days.
Conclusions:
Mirasol system was effective in inactivating S. epidermidis when it was deliberately inoculated into BCPP at clinically relevant concentrations. Such systems may significantly improve blood safety by inactivating traditional and emerging transfusion-transmitted pathogens.
Insights
The Mirasol pathogen reduction system effectively inactivated Staphylococcus epidermidis in platelet units, significantly enhancing blood safety. This system shows promise for preventing transfusion-transmitted infections from various pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacterial contamination of blood products poses a significant risk.
- Buffy coat pooled platelets (BCPP) are susceptible to bacterial proliferation.
- Pathogen reduction systems are crucial for improving blood safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Mirasol pathogen reduction system.
- To assess its ability to prevent bacterial regrowth in platelets.
- To determine its effectiveness against Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Main Methods:
- BCPP units were spiked with Staphylococcus epidermidis.
- Units were divided into positive controls and Mirasol-treated groups.
- Bacterial detection was performed using the BacT/ALERT system at specified intervals.
Main Results:
- The Mirasol system demonstrated high efficacy, with no regrowth in 96.4% of valid treatment cycles.
- Positive controls showed bacterial growth, confirming contamination.
- Extended incubation periods improved bacterial detection rates in positive controls.
Conclusions:
- The Mirasol system effectively inactivates Staphylococcus epidermidis in BCPP.
- This technology can enhance blood safety by reducing transfusion-transmitted pathogens.
- Mirasol offers a potential solution for both traditional and emerging infectious threats in transfusion medicine.

