Photodynamic viral deactivation with sapphyrins

A method of photodynamic inactivation of viruses or retroviruses, comprising:

• obtaining a viral or retroviral suspension in a fluid;
• adding a decaalkylsapphyrin or a dicarboxy functionalized decaalkylsapphyrin compound to said suspension;
• and
• irradiating said suspension with light at a wavelength at or near the visible absorption maximum of said decaalkylsapphyrin or dicarboxy functionalized decaalkylsapphyrin compound for a time and at an intensity sufficient to effect inactivation of virus or retrovirus in said suspension.

A method of photodynamic inactivation of enveloped viruses or retroviruses in blood, comprising:

• circulating virus-containing or retrovirus-containing blood through a transparent tube arranged in multiple planar loops;
• adding a decaalkylsapphyrin or a dicarboxy functionalized decaalkylsapphyrin compound to said circulating blood;
• and
• irradiating said circulating blood at a wavelength of about 680 nm.