Induction of Nucleic Acid Damage in Viral Genomes using Riboflavin in Combination with UV Light

Background and Aims: Despite the screening of blood donors, blood transfusion represents an ideal port of entry for blood-borne infection. Blood-borne pathogen transmission has been a concern since the earliest days of transfusion. The blood product of platelet (PLT) concentrates is still faced with the risk of bacterial and viral contaminations. Pathogen inactivation technologies offer a proactive approach and the potential to further improve blood safety. Here we study the pathogen inactivating capacity of riboflavin with UV light treatment in platelet concentrates contaminated with enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Materials and Methods: The inactivation effects of riboflavin in combination with UV light was examined on Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Polio virus classified as enveloped and non-enveloped DNA and RNA viruses, respectively. After spiking viruses in PLT concentrate, treatment was undertaken with riboflavin (50 µM) and exposed to different doses of UV light. Residual viral infectivity was titrated using 50%Tissue Culture Infective Dose (TCID50). Results: Combination of Riboflavin and UV light treatment reduced the titer of HSV, VSV and Poliovirus with different doses of UV light. Log reduction of HSV with UV doses of 0.82, 1.63, 2.44 and 3.25 J/cm2 was 0.5, 1.3, 3.5 and 3.8, respectively. Log reduction of VSV for 0.82, 1.63, 2.44 and 3.25 J/cm2was 2.8, 3.8, 4.6 and 5.6, respectively. Also, log reduction of poliovirus in the same order for 0.82, 1.63, 2.44 and 3.25 J/cm2was 1.7, 2.5, 2.7 and 3.1 respectively. Conclusion: The final dose of UV (3.25 J/cm2) resulted in a larger amount of viral inactivation for enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, in suspended PLT. This method offers a potential to be used for prevention of the majority of PLT transfusion-associated viral pathogens.