Removal of Adenine During a Pathogen Reduction Process in Whole Blood or Red Blood Cells by Dilution

Abstract

The methods of this invention involve preventing the formation of a complex between adenine and riboflavin by reducing the amount of adenine in a solution containing blood or blood components to be pathogen reduced.

1 . A method for treating a selected quantity of fluid to reduce pathogens which may be present therein, the fluid containing one or more components selected from the group consisting of blood and blood components, the method comprising: 
 (a) adding a sufficient volume of a washing solution to the selected quantity of fluid;    (b) washing the selected quantity of fluid to create a washed fluid;    (c) mixing a pathogen reduction-effective, substantially non-toxic amount of 7,8-dimethyl-10-ribityl isoalloxazine photosensitizer with the washed fluid;    (d) exposing the washed fluid containing the photosensitizer to photoradiation of sufficient wavelength and energy to activate the photosensitizer, whereby the pathogens are reduced.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the washing step further comprises a plurality of washing steps.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method substantially prevents damage to the blood or blood components contained in the fluid by reducing the concentration of adenine in the fluid to prevent formation of a photosensitizer-adenine complex.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method substantially prevents an increase in oxidation reactions produced by photolysis of the photosensitizer.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixing step further comprises placing the fluid in a container transparent to photoradiation, adding the photosensitizer to the fluid in the container and agitating the container.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the washed fluid consists essentially of platelets.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the washed fluid consists essentially of red blood cells.  
     
     
         8 . A fluid for pathogen reduction that is substantially adenine-free comprising: 
 one or more components selected from the group consisting of blood and blood components;    an endogenous photosensitizer or an endogenously-based derivative photosensitizer and an adenine-free solution.