Methods for inactivating bacteria in blood preparations with 8-methoxypsoralen
AssigneeSteritech, Inc.
InventorsLily Lin, Lawrence Corash, Stephen T. Isaacs, Carl V. Hanson, George D. Cimino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and compositions are described for treating contaminants in material intended for in vivo use, and in particular blood and blood products for human use. Contaminants in blood cell preparations are inactivated using 8-methoxypsoralen prior to long term storage and transfusion.
Claims19
A method of inactivating bacteria in platelet preparations prior to long term storage and administration, comprising:
- a) providing, in any order, i) 8-methoxypsoralen;
- ii) means for activating said 8-methoxypsoralen;
- iii) a platelet preparation intended for in vivo use suspected of being contaminated with bacteria;
- b) adding said 8-methoxypsoralen to said platelet preparation at a final concentration of between approximately 3 and 30 ug/ml;
- and
- c) activating said 8-methoxypsoralen, so that said nucleic acid binding compounds bind covalently to the nucleic acid of a portion of said bacteria, without causing significant damage to said platelet preparation.
A method of treating platelet preparations intended for in vivo use, comprising:
- a) providing, in any order, i) 8-methoxypsoralen;
- ii) means for photoactivating said 8-methoxypsoralen;
- iii) platelet preparations intended for in vivo use suspected of being contaminated with microorganisms;
- b) adding said 8-methoxypsoralen to said platelet preparations;
- and
- c) photoactivating said 8-methoxypsoralen with a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation having a peak intensity at wavelengths between 330 nm and 350, so that said 8-methoxypsoralen binds covalently to the nucleic acid of a portion of said microorganisms, without causing significant activation of said platelets.
A composition having anti-microbial properties, comprising an aqueous solution of 8-methoxypsoralen at a concentration between approximately 3 .mu.g/ml and 30 .mu.g/ml in the absence of DMSO, and platelets suitable for in vivo use.
A method of inactivating bacteria in platelet preparations prior to long term storage and administration comprising:
- a) providing, in any order, i) 8-methoxypsoralen;
- ii) means for activating said 8-methoxypsoralen;
- iii) a platelet preparation intended for in vivo use suspected of being contaminated with bacteria;
- b) adding said 8-methoxypsoralen to said platelet preparation at a final concentration of between 3 and 30 ug/ml;
- and
- c) activating said 8-methoxypsoralen, without limiting the concentration of molecular oxygen, so that said nucleic acid binding compounds bind covalently to the nucleic acid of a portion of said bacteria.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.