Method of inactivating biological contaminants using photosensitizers which are activated by photoradiation

摘要

A method for treating a fluid containing one or more components of blood, blood components and blood constituents in vitro to inactivate microorganisms that may be present therein comprises: a) adding an inactivation effective non-toxic amount of an endogenous alloxazine photosensitizer to the fluid or endogenously based alloxazine derivative photosensitizer; b) exposing the fluid of step a) to photoradiation sufficient to activate the endogenous photosensitizer whereby the microorganisms are inactivated. The activated endogenous photosensitizer interferes with nucleic acid present in microorganisms in the fluid so that the microorganisms are inactivated. Isoalloxazines and K- and L-vitamins are among the preferred photosensitizers. Systems and apparatuses are also described for decontamination of such fluids using photosensitizers which include means for adding photosensitizer to the fluid; a photopermeable container for exposing the fluid to an amount of photoradiation sufficient to activate the photosensitizer; and a photoradiation source, preferably comprising a light guide, for providing sufficient photoradiation of a type and amount selected to activate the photosensitizer. Means for controlling photosensitizer concentration in the fluid and rate of fluid flow through the container, including computer processors may be included in such systems.