Reduction of bacteria and human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 infectivity of platelet suspension in plasma using xenon flash-pulse light in a bench-scale trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current pathogen reduction systems for platelet concentrates (PCs) require addition of chemical compounds and/or reduction of plasma content in PCs. We have investigated a new method using xenon (Xe) flash-pulse light without additional compounds or plasma replacement. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An aliquot of apheresis platelets (PLTs) in plasma inoculated with bacteria or human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1) was irradiated with Xe flash-pulse light (Xe flash phototreatment). Bacterial growth was monitored up to 6 days of storage, whereas HIV-1 infectivity was assayed just after treatment. Pairs of Xe flash-phototreated and untreated PCs were examined for PLT lesion during the storage period. RESULTS: Under the current conditions, a low titer (1.8 colony-forming units [CFUs]/mL) of Staphylococcus aureus did not proliferate during the 6-day storage period, but grew in some cases at high-titer (24.0 CFUs/mL) inoculation. HIV-1 infectivity was reduced by 1.8 log. PLT recovery of the treated PCs was lower than untreated ones. An increase of mean PLT volume and glucose consumption, together with a decrease of hypotonic shock response and pH, were enhanced by the treatment. CD62P- and PAC-1-positive PLTs increased after the treatment, indicating the induction of PLT activation. Among biologic response modifiers, soluble CD40 ligand was significantly increased in the treated PCs on Day 6. CONCLUSIONS: Xe flash phototreatment could prevent bacterial proliferation and reduce HIV-1 infectivity in 100% plasma PCs without any additional compounds, but enhanced PLT storage lesions. Further improvement is required to increase the potency of pathogen inactivation with reducing PLT damage.