Treatment of buffy coat platelets in platelet additive solution with the mirasol(®) pathogen reduction technology system.

BACKGROUND The Mirasol pathogen reduction technology (PRT) system uses riboflavin and ultraviolet light and is currently approved and used in Europe for the treatment of platelets and plasma. Mirasol treatment is intended to reduce the infectious pathogen load and to inactivate leukocytes in blood products. Our objective was to evaluate buffy coat platelet concentrates (BCPCs) prepared with platelet additive solution (PAS) and treated with the Mirasol system and to examine the effects on platelet cell quality during storage. METHODS 26 BCPCs were prepared and split, creating 13 paired control and test units. The test units were treated with the Mirasol system and the platelet quality was assessed in all units over 7 days of storage. RESULTS All products met the incoming specifications for Mirasol treatment, and the pH of all Mirasol-treated BCPCs in PAS met the requirements of the Council of Europe guidelines throughout storage. Analysis of lactate production and glucose consumption rates, CD62p expression and cytokines indicates enhanced cellular metabolism in treated platelets, but the levels were within previously published ranges. CONCLUSION While Mirasol-treated BCPCs in PAS had increased metabolism and activation compared to controls, the results indicate that these units can be stored for 7 days with acceptable cell quality.