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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Treatment of Platelet Products with Riboflavin and UV Light: Effectiveness Against High Titer Bacterial Contamination
Published on: August 24, 2015
Impact of different pathogen reduction technologies on the biochemistry, function, and clinical effectiveness of
Gines Escolar1, Maribel Diaz-Ricart1, Jeffrey McCullough2
1Department of Hematopathology, Centre Diagnostic Biomedic, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Standard platelet concentrates (PCs) stored at 22°C have a limited shelf life of 5 days. Because of the storage temperature, bacterial contamination of PCs can result in life-threatening infections in transfused patients. The potential of blood components to cause infections through contaminating pathogens or transmitting blood-borne diseases has always been a concern. The current safety practice to prevent pathogen transmission through blood transfusion starts with a stringent screening of donors and regulated testing of blood samples to ensure that known infections cannot reach transfusion products. Pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs), initially implemented to ensure the safety of plasma products, have been adapted to treat platelet products. In addition to reducing bacterial contamination, PRT applied to PCs can extend their shelf life up to 7 days, alleviating the impact of their shortage, while providing an additional safety layer against emerging blood-borne infectious diseases. While a deleterious action of PRTs in quantitative and qualitative aspects of plasma is accepted, the impact of PRTs on the quality, function, and clinical efficacy of PCs has been under constant examination. The potential of PRTs to prevent the possibility of new emerging diseases to reach cellular blood components has been considered more hypothetical than real. In 2019, a coronavirus-related disease (COVID-19) became a pandemic. This episode should help when reconsidering the possibility of future blood transmissible threats. The following text intends to evaluate the impact of different PRTs on the quality, function, and clinical effectiveness of platelets within the perspective of a developing pandemic.
Insights
Pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) enhance platelet concentrate (PC) safety and extend shelf life. PRTs offer protection against bacterial contamination and emerging infectious diseases, crucial for transfusion medicine.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Standard platelet concentrates (PCs) have a 5-day shelf life at 22°C, risking bacterial contamination and life-threatening infections.
- Current safety relies on donor screening and blood testing, but emerging blood-borne diseases pose ongoing risks.
- Pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) are adapted for platelets to mitigate contamination and extend shelf life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of different PRTs on platelet quality, function, and clinical efficacy.
- To assess the role of PRTs in preventing transmission of emerging blood-borne infectious diseases, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To provide a perspective on the future of platelet safety and availability.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on PRT applications in platelet products.
- Analysis of quantitative and qualitative changes in platelets treated with various PRTs.
- Examination of clinical efficacy data and potential impact on transfusion outcomes.
Main Results:
- PRTs reduce bacterial contamination in PCs and can extend shelf life to 7 days.
- While PRTs impact platelet quality and function, their clinical efficacy is under continuous investigation.
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need to reconsider PRTs for cellular blood components against novel threats.
Conclusions:
- PRTs offer a significant safety enhancement for platelet transfusions, reducing infection risks.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term clinical implications of PRTs on platelet function and patient outcomes.
- PRTs are a vital tool in strengthening the resilience of the blood supply against current and future infectious disease threats.
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