Disinfecting Blood

Source article(partial):

https://www.nature.com/articles/549S19a

Screening blood donations for pathogens using a battery of separate assays takes a considerable amount of effort and money. But there may be an easier way that tackles the underlying cause. At least two companies are working on pathogen-reduction systems, which eliminate most infectious agents from blood in one go. Such systems could, in theory, wipe out unknown as well as known pathogens. “The beauty of this,” says Marks, “is that it helps protect you against what you don't know.” That could be a boon when sudden outbreaks of viruses such as Zika or Ebola occur.

The FDA approved one such pathogen-reduction system, called INTERCEPT, for platelets and plasma in 2014. Developed by Cerus of Concord, California, the system relies on a molecule called amotosalen that binds to RNA and DNA. When exposed to ultraviolet light, it creates crosslinks between strands of nucleic acid, “effectively shutting down all transcription or translation or replication from the cells”, says Cerus's chief medical officer, Richard Benjamin. Platelets, plasma and red blood cells do not possess DNA or RNA. INTERCEPT therefore leaves these products unharmed but inactivates pathogens. (There is no evidence, however, that INTERCEPT would have an effect on prions.)

Companies mentioned:

https://intercept-usa.com/what-is-intercept/how-intercept-works

https://www.terumobct.com/mirasol