Data from a new study suggests that a medical device that uses vitamin B2 and ultraviolet light for treating human blood products is effective against the virus that causes COVID-19. The study results, generated by Terumo BCT in collaboration with researchers from Colorado State University, have been accepted for publication by Vox Sanguinis, a peerreviewed medical journal covering hematology. While there is no evidence that blood transfusions transmit COVID-19, some blood centres are using Mirasol to treat platelets and plasma as an additional layer of safety. Some healthcare providers also treat convalescent plasma with Mirasol. The International Society for Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Global Blood Safety Working Party recommends, where feasible, pathogen inactivation of plasma to control residual risks of transfusion transmitted infection diseases and to allay concern about possible superinfections with SARS-CoV-2.
Using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and ultraviolet light, Mirasol is designed to reduce the pathogen load of various disease-causing agents such as viruses, parasites and bacteria in blood products before they are transfused to patients. Mirasol also inactivates white blood cells to help reduce certain transfusion reactions.
Mirasol is CE marked for platelets, plasma and whole blood and is in routine use in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The system is not approved for sale in the U.S. and Canada.