New data suggest 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.
While there is no evidence that blood transfusions transmit COVID-19, according to a press release, 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 superinfections 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.
Antoinette Gawin, president and CEO, Terumo BCT, comments: “Mirasol is one of the tools we are using to help equip healthcare providers in their fight against COVID-19. We are deploying our existing innovations to benefit as many patients as possible.”
