Pathogen reduction of SARS-CoV-2 virus in plasma and whole blood using riboflavin and UV light

Abstract

BackgroundSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has recently been identified as the causative agent for Coronavirus Disease 2019 . The ability of this agent to be transmitted by blood transfusion has not been documented, although viral RNA has been detected in serum. Exposure to treatment with riboflavin and ultraviolet light (R + UV) reduces blood-borne pathogens while maintaining blood product quality. Here, we report on the efficacy of R + UV in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity when tested in human plasma and whole blood products. Study design and methodsSARS-CoV-2 (isolate USA-WA1/2020) was used to inoculate plasma and whole blood units that then underwent treatment with riboflavin and UV light (Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technology System, Terumo BCT, Lakewood, CO). The infectious titers of SARS-CoV-2 in the samples before and after R + UV treatment were determined by plaque assay on Vero E6 cells. Each plasma pool (n = 9) underwent R + UV treatment performed in triplicate using individual units of plasma and then repeated using individual whole blood donations (n = 3). ResultsRiboflavin and UV light reduced the infectious titer of SARS-CoV-2 below the limit of detection for plasma products at 60-100% of the recommended energy dose. At the UV light dose recommended by the manufacturer, the mean log reductions in the viral titers were � 4.79 ± 0.15 Logs in plasma and 3.30 ± 0.26 in whole blood units. ConclusionRiboflavin and UV light effectively reduced the titer of SARS-CoV-2 to the limit of detection in human plasma and by 3.30 ± 0.26 on average in whole blood. Two clades of SARS-CoV- PLOS ONE

Food Safety Concerns in “COVID-19 Era”

“…The effectiveness of UV on SARS-CoV-2 was recently reported: Heilingloh et al [97] demonstrated that UV irradiation represents a suitable disinfection method for SARS-CoV-2, since a total inactivation of a viral stock of SARS-CoV-2 at a concentration of 5 × 10 6 TCID50/mL was achieved after 9 min of combined UVA and UVC exposure. Moreover, we assessed that exposure to riboflavin and ultraviolet light (R + UV) reduces the infectious titre of SARS-CoV-2 below the limit of detection in plasma products [98]. These studies are in line with a previous research that demonstrated inactivation by UV light of closely-related viruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS, and other respiratory viruses [99].…”

Upper-room ultraviolet air disinfection might help to reduce COVID-19 transmission in buildings: a feasibility study

“…Table 1 also includes the results of one study that investigated the impact of deep-UV light at 280 nm (i.e., the boundary between UV-B and UV-C) on SARS-CoV-2 (Inagaki et al, 2020). In addition, three studies were found that used a combination of UV-A and UV-B light (270-360 nm), together with the photosensitiser, riboflavin, to disinfect SARS-CoV-2 Ragan et al, 2020) and MERS-CoV (Keil, Bowen & Marschner, 2020) in blood products (Table 2). Although these studies did not utilize UV-C light, it was nevertheless decided to report the results of these studies here so that direct comparisons could be made between SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV.…”

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“…Blood product screening for viruses may have a high false-negative rate which questions its usefulness, similar to what happened during the SARS outbreak [ 8 , 9 ]. Nevertheless, pathogen reduction (PR) on blood products using riboflavin and UV (UV) light has been shown to be effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity [ 10 ].…”

“…The outer layer of biohazard plastic bag and container should be disinfected prior to transportation. In some centres, UV irradiation is used for disinfection prior to laboratory processing [ 10 , 15 ].…”