Stylized blood bag illuminated by ultraviolet light, symbolizing transfusion safety.

Transfusion Safety: How Pathogen Reduction is Revolutionizing Blood Transfusions

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the groundbreaking approach of using amotosalen and ultraviolet A light to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), ensuring safer blood transfusions for vulnerable patients."

Blood transfusions are a cornerstone of modern medicine, saving countless lives every year. However, they're not without risks. One of the most serious complications is transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease, or TA-GVHD. This occurs when donor T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) attack the recipient's tissues, leading to severe illness and even death.

Traditionally, gamma irradiation has been used to prevent TA-GVHD by inactivating these harmful T cells. But now, a new approach is emerging: pathogen reduction with amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA) light. This method not only inactivates T cells but also targets a wide range of other pathogens, potentially offering a more comprehensive approach to blood safety.

This article explores how amotosalen and UVA light are used to prevent TA-GVHD, offering a detailed look at the science, benefits, and future of this promising technology. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a patient, or simply someone interested in the latest medical advancements, this is your guide to understanding a new era in transfusion safety.

Understanding TA-GVHD and the Need for Prevention

Stylized blood bag illuminated by ultraviolet light, symbolizing transfusion safety.

TA-GVHD is a rare but devastating complication of blood transfusions. It arises when the transfused blood contains viable T lymphocytes from the donor that recognize the recipient's tissues as foreign. These donor T cells then launch an immune attack, leading to symptoms such as fever, skin rash, diarrhea, liver dysfunction, and bone marrow suppression. The condition is often fatal, making prevention crucial.

Several factors must align for TA-GVHD to occur:

Differences in histocompatibility between the donor and recipient.
Presence of immunocompetent T cells in the transfused blood component.
Inability of the recipient's immune system to reject the donor T cells.

Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, bone marrow transplantation, or suffering from certain genetic disorders, are at higher risk. However, TA-GVHD can also occur in immunocompetent individuals, further emphasizing the need for effective prevention strategies for all transfusions.

The Future of Transfusion Safety

Pathogen reduction with amotosalen and UVA light represents a significant advancement in transfusion medicine. While gamma irradiation has long been the standard for TA-GVHD prevention, this new approach offers several advantages, including a broader spectrum of pathogen inactivation and potentially improved platelet function. As research continues and more data become available, pathogen reduction is poised to become an increasingly important tool for ensuring safer blood transfusions for all patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/vox.12558, Alternate LINK

Title: Prevention Of Transfusion-Associated Graft-Versus-Host Disease With Pathogen-Reduced Platelets With Amotosalen And Ultraviolet A Light: A Review

Subject: Hematology

Journal: Vox Sanguinis

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: J. Cid

Published: 2017-08-18

Everything You Need To Know

What is transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), and why is it a concern in blood transfusions?

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease, or TA-GVHD, is a rare but severe complication that can occur after a blood transfusion. It happens when T lymphocytes from the donor blood attack the recipient's tissues because they recognize them as foreign. This immune attack can lead to fever, skin rash, diarrhea, liver dysfunction, and bone marrow suppression. TA-GVHD is often fatal, making its prevention a critical aspect of ensuring the safety of blood transfusions, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems or those receiving blood from closely related donors.

How does pathogen reduction using amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA) light work to prevent TA-GVHD?

Pathogen reduction using amotosalen and ultraviolet A, or UVA, light is a method designed to enhance blood transfusion safety. During this process, amotosalen, a photoactive compound, is added to the blood product. When exposed to UVA light, amotosalen crosslinks the DNA and RNA of T lymphocytes and pathogens, inactivating them. By inactivating these cells, the risk of TA-GVHD is significantly reduced. This approach offers a broader spectrum of pathogen inactivation compared to traditional methods like gamma irradiation.

What are the advantages of using amotosalen and UVA light for pathogen reduction compared to gamma irradiation in preventing TA-GVHD?

While gamma irradiation has been a standard method for preventing TA-GVHD, pathogen reduction with amotosalen and UVA light offers several advantages. Amotosalen and UVA light inactivation can target a broader range of pathogens, not just T lymphocytes. Additionally, studies suggest that pathogen reduction may better preserve platelet function compared to gamma irradiation. These advantages make pathogen reduction a promising alternative for ensuring safer blood transfusions.

Who is most at risk for developing TA-GVHD, and why is prevention essential even in immunocompetent individuals?

Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation, are at a higher risk of developing TA-GVHD. These individuals' immune systems are less capable of rejecting the donor T lymphocytes that cause the disease. However, TA-GVHD can also occur in individuals with healthy immune systems, particularly when there is a close HLA match between the donor and recipient. This is why effective prevention strategies, such as pathogen reduction with amotosalen and UVA light, are crucial for all transfusions, regardless of the recipient's immune status.

How might pathogen reduction with amotosalen and UVA light impact the future of transfusion medicine, and what further research is needed?

Pathogen reduction with amotosalen and UVA light represents a significant advancement in transfusion medicine, with the potential to become a standard practice for ensuring safer blood transfusions. Its broader spectrum of pathogen inactivation and potential for improved platelet function compared to traditional methods like gamma irradiation make it a promising tool. Further research is needed to fully evaluate its long-term effects on patient outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and optimal implementation strategies. Additionally, investigations into its efficacy against emerging pathogens and its compatibility with different blood products are warranted to maximize its benefits in transfusion safety.