Non-ionizing 405 nm Light as a Potential Bactericidal Technology for Platelet Safety: Evaluation of in vitro Bacterial Inactivation and in vivo Platelet Recovery in Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of <i>ex vivo</i> stored platelets is a cause of transfusion-transmitted infection. Violet-blue 405 nm light has recently demonstrated efficacy in reducing the bacterial burden in blood plasma, and its operational benefits such as non-ionizing nature, penetrability, and non-requirement for photosensitizing agents, provide a unique opportunity to develop this treatment for <i>in situ</i> treatment of <i>ex vivo</i> stored platelets as a tool for bacterial reduction. Sealed bags of platelet concentrates, seeded with low-level <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> contamination, were 405 nm light-treated (3-10 mWcm^-2) up to 8 h. Antimicrobial efficacy and dose efficiency was evaluated by quantification of the post-treatment surviving bacterial contamination levels. Platelets treated with 10 mWcm^-2 for 8 h were further evaluated for survival and recovery in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. Significant inactivation of bacteria in platelet concentrates was achieved using all irradiance levels, with 99.6-100% inactivation achieved by 8 h (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Analysis of applied dose demonstrated that lower irradiance levels generally resulted in significant decontamination at lower doses: 180 Jcm^-2/10 mWcm^-2 (<i>P</i> = 0.008) compared to 43.2 Jcm^-2/3 mWcm^-2 (<i>P</i> = 0.002). Additionally, the recovery of light-treated platelets, compared to non-treated platelets, in the murine model showed no significant differences (<i>P</i> = >0.05). This report paves the way for further comprehensive studies to test 405 nm light treatment as a bactericidal technology for stored platelets.