Despite measures that are in place in the developed world to ensure the safety of blood products for transfusion, a risk of disease transmission still exists.
This pathogen reduction process involves adding riboflavin (vitamin B2) to the blood component, which is then placed into an illuminator where it is exposed to UV light for about five to ten minutes.
[1][4][5] In this way the process prevents viruses, bacteria, parasites and white blood cells, from replicating and causing disease.
[1] The riboflavin and UV light method for pathogen reduction of platelets and plasma is in routine use in multiple countries throughout Europe.
[10][11][12][13] This same process is currently in development for the treatment of whole blood, resulting in pathogen reduction of the three components (RBCs, platelets and plasma).