Photosensitized Inactivation of <i>Plasmodium falciparum‐</i> and <i>Babesia divergens</i>‐Infected Erythrocytes in Whole Blood by Lipophilic Pheophorbide Derivatives

Abstract

In plasma, Ph4-OH is mainly transported by high-density lipoproteins (HDL). This high affinity for HDL may explain the selective accumulation of lipophilic pheophorbide derivatives in the intracellular parasites. Photosensitization with pheophorbide derivatives may be a promising approach to inactivation of transfusion-transmissible parasites and viruses in blood bank units.