Pathogen Reduction Device Shows Efficacy Against Virus Causing COVID-19 in Plasma and Platelets  

Data from a new study suggests that a medical device that uses vitamin B₂ and ultraviolet light for treating human blood products is effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. The study results, generated by Terumo BCT in collaboration with top researchers from Colorado State University, have been accepted for publication by Vox Sanguinis, a peer-reviewed medical journal covering haematology.

Blood is considered vital medicine, and it is the backbone of the healthcare system. While there is no evidence that blood transfusions transmit COVID-19, some blood centres are using Mirasol to treat platelets and plasma as an additional layer of safety.

In some parts of the world, healthcare providers also treat convalescent plasma with Mirasol. The International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Global Blood Safety Working Party recommends, where feasible, pathogen inactivation of plasma to control residual risks of transfusion transmitted infection diseases and to ally concern about possible super infections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.2

Using riboflavin (vitamin B₂) and ultraviolet light, Mirasol is designed to reduce the pathogen load of various disease-causing agents such as viruses, parasites and bacteria in blood products before they are transfused to patients. Mirasol also inactivates white blood cells to help reduce certain transfusion reactions.

“Mirasol is one of the tools we are using to help equip healthcare providers in their fight against COVID-19,” said Antoinette Gawin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Terumo BCT. “We are deploying our existing innovations to benefit as many patients as possible.”

Mirasol is CE marked for platelets, plasma and whole blood and is in routine use in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The system is not approved for sale in the US and Canada.

There are no approved devices or therapies for specific treatment of COVID-19. 

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