Preliminary tests show that a new pathogen inactivation technology is effective against the human coronavirus
Companies engaged in the processing and supply of blood products for medical use, Baxter International Inc. and Cerus Corporation report that preliminary test results of the Intercept Blood System for platelets inactivates one of the human strains of coronavirus, a representative member of the viral family that includes the causative agent of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
These results show that this new blood safety technology is capable of inactivating coronavirus in blood products.
Currently, SARS has infected almost 8,000 people worldwide and has a mortality rate in a range from 15 percent or in elderly patients up to 50 percent. The SARS-related coronavirus has been detected in the blood of infected patients during the acute phase of the illness, and because of this, it is suspected the virus may be transmissible through blood.
The current strategies in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus through blood transfusions include a worldwide donor deferral program instituted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and research surrounding test development to enable screening and detection.
The in-vitro study measured the inactivation level of the Interecpt Blood System against a lipid-enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus of the coronavirus family. The study used the 229E strain of coronavirus, an isolate that causes respiratory illness in humans.
Following the inactivation procedure, tests of the solution for residual viable virus showed that the virus was inactivated below the limit of detection in the assay system used (i.e., no viable virus was detected after treatment).
Cerus and Baxter are considering further collaborative studies to show inactivation of the SARS agent.
The Intercept Blood System for platelets has received European regulatory approval and has been implemented in several blood centres throughout Europe.
Clinical trials are underway for use of the Interecept Blood System with plasma and red blood cells for transfusion.
Keywords : Baxter International Inc. Cerus Corporation Blood products Safety SARS Coronavirus Pathogen inactivation Intercept Blood System
