System Inactivates Two Pathogens in Blood

The causative agents of both require an insect vector. Both pathogens also share an asymptomatic period during which blood-donor guidelines would not exclude blood donations by people during this stage.

The red blood cell inactivating system, called Inactine, works by binding to the RNA or DNA of the pathogen. Once bound, the compound forms an irreversible bond to the pathogenic nucleic acid, preventing replication and thereby "killing” the pathogens. The system was developed by V.I. Technologies, Inc. (Vitex, Watertown, MA, USA). Efforts are underway to demonstrate the system's success in three key areas necessary for commercial viability: broad pathogen kill, a wide safety margin for patients, and minimal interference with the function of the red cell.

"West Nile virus and the bacterium that causes Lyme disease are prime examples of emerging pathogens,” said John R. Barr, president and CEO, Vitex. "Further epidemiologic studies in human transfusion recipients are needed before the transfusion risk, if any, can be ascertained.”




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