The INTERCEPT Blood System Rids Blood Donations of All Pathogens

Europe has used the INTERCEPT system since 2002, but the FDA has only recently approved the process for use in US Blood banks.
Transfusion – transmitted infectious (TTI) diseases have been greatly reduced due to current testing and screening measures although risks of TTI still exist due to emerging pathogens and bacterial contamination of the blood.

The INTERCEPT blood System reduces pathogens by a broad spectrum inactivation of viruses, bacteria and parasites. T-cells are also reduced to levels that potentially lower the risk for transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease in platelet components. The following is a list of pathogens that are inactivated by the INTERCEPT process.



At this time the INTERCEPT system is only approved for use in platelets and plasma. ²

Developed by Cerus, the technology mangles the nucleic acids (RNA or DNA) in viruses and bacteria, thereby preventing the pathogens from reproducing in a recipient's body. Technicians first add a molecule capable of inserting itself into the DNA or RNA to the donated material, then expose the mixture to ultraviolet light (right). The light causes the molecules to bind irreversibly to the nucleic acids and thus prevent their replication. The procedure does no harm to the plasma or platelets because they contain no nucleic acids of their own. The procedure varies slightly for red blood cells (which also lack nucleic acids)—a use that the FDA has yet to approve. ¹

Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions

The system does carry contraindications and warnings.  The use of INTERCEPT is contraindicated for those patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to amotosalen or other psoralens. It is also contraindicated for platelets or plasma intended for neonatal patients treated with phototherapy devices.
The system must be used with Intercept developed processing sets and their own developed UVA illumination device. The tubing components of the system do contain PVC and DEHP.

Pulmonary events such as ARDS, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome has been reported with a higher incidence in those that receive INTERCEPT treated platelets than recipients of non-treated platelets. Healthcare providers should be aware of this complication and monitor the patient closely for ARDS.
In a randomized controlled trial of therapeutic plasma exchange for TTP, five patients treated with INTERCEPT Blood System processed plasma and none with conventional plasma had adverse events in the cardiac system organ class reported. These events included angina pectoris, cardiac arrest, bradycardia, tachycardia and sinus arrhythmia. Therefore patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of cardiac events during therapeutic plasma exchange procedures.2

Resources
¹http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-intercept-blood-system-rids-blood-donations-of-all-pathogens/?WT.mc_id=SA_HLTH_20150707
²http://www.intercept-usa.com/