A study (Hashem AM, Hassan AM, Tolah AM, Alsaadi MA, Abunada Q, Damanhouri GA, El-Kafrawy SA, Picard-Maureau M, Azhar EI, Hindawi SI. Amotosalen and ultraviolet A light efficiently inactivate MERS-coronavirus in human platelet concentrates. Transfus Med 2019, following prior publications on the inactivation of the MERS coronavirus in human plasma and the inactivation of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in human platelets, now reports on the inactivation of the MERS (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome) coronavirus in human platelet concentrates using the INTERCEPT™ Blood System for platelets.
A new coronavirus outbreak is currently ongoing in China, with the first imported U.S. case now confirmed. The genetic sequence of the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, is at least 70% similar to SARS-CoV4.
The publications show that several members of the coronavirus family are susceptible to inactivation with amotosalen and ultraviolet (UVA) light. Dr. Laurence Corash said: "As new pathogens emerge, Cerus will continue to evaluate the performance of the INTERCEPT systems, in case any of these new agents are determined to pose a threat to blood safety."
The INTERCEPT Blood System is effective in reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections across a broad spectrum of known and potentially emerging pathogens by cross-linking the pathogens’ nucleic acids, and thereby blocking the replication of viruses, bacteria, and parasites present in the blood product. In contrast, with testing, emerging pathogens need to be identified and could take time for new tests to be developed and licensed.
