Pathogen inactivation – Proactive strategy to ensure blood safety in the face of a pandemic

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has revealed worrying elements about the continuity of the health system. Blood availability and patient safety may be compromised, as the risk of transfusion-transmission (TTI) of new pathogens cannot be mitigated by tests that are not yet available. Pathogen inactivation (PI) has maintained local platelet availability during outbreaks by maintaining an effective donor pool and avoiding delays that can negatively impact donor recruitment. Dr. Silvano Wendel of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital in Brazil will discuss the center's experience with PI as a means of mitigating the risk of a broad spectrum of TTI, including the risk of emerging pathogens.

In addition, preliminary data from the treatment study of patients with convalescent plasma (CP) undergoing pathogen inactivation are shared. CP treatment is a promising therapeutic alternative that has shown favorable preliminary results in terms of improving the symptoms of COVID-19 patients.

Webinar to watch on demand whenever you want in this link, available until November 25.

Exposes:

Silvano Wendel, MD, PhD.
Dr. Silvano Wendel has been the Medical Director of the Blood Bank of the Sírio Libanês Hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, since 1983. He holds a PhD from the Department of Infectious Diseases at the University of São Paulo, is actively involved in ISBT and was its president in 2010-2012. He was also chair of the Committee on Transfusion-Borne Infectious Diseases at ISBT and Global Blood Safety. In addition, Dr Wendel was Chair of WHO's Global Collaboration for Blood Safety (GCBS).