Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Abstract

Pathogen Reduction Technologies: The Best Solution for Safer Blood?

Susanne Maria Picker

Although it is generally accepted that blood has never been safer than today, transfusion-associated side effects, particularly infective, still occur. Unlike screening strategies, pathogen reduction technologies offer a new approach to increase blood safety by actively/directly targeting possible, also emerging pathogens or donor leukocytes. Advanced technologies for cellular blood products like the psoralen-based INTERCEPT BLOOD SYSTEM or the riboflavin-based Mirasol pathogen reduction technology system have extensively been examined and are on the way to enter the blood bank routine. However, as with any medical treatment, the transfusion of pathogen reduced blood products is not completely risk-free. Due to possible impairment of the treated blood cells the transfusion success is significantly lower as compared to untreated blood products. Long-term side effects concerning the photosensitizers and their photoproducts still remain a matter of debate. This paper outlines current pathogen reduction technologies but also focuses on ethical concerns associated with the employment of these techniques.