On the Chemical Sterilization of Blood and Blood Plasma.

Abstract

In the presence of citrated blood or blood plasma, methyl-bis-(beta-chloroethyl-amine HC1 (HN2) is capable of inactivating New Jersey vesicular stomatitis virus at concns. of 500 mg./which produce minimal changes in the plasma and red blood cells. Complement, antibodies of Brucella abortus, and of syphilis (Kolmer complement-fixation test), alkaline phosphatase, fibrinogen, albumin, and albumin to globulin ratio are essentially unaffected by the addition of 500 mg./l. of HN2 to plasma. Prothrombin time (Quick''s 1-stage method) is markedly prolonged. Human red blood cells are not altered significantly by 500 mg./l. of HN2, as measured by fragility to hypotonic saline, rate of loss of K, survival on storage, and histological examination. Treated plasma and whole blood were demonstrated to be nontoxic to human and animal recipients. No evidence of antigenic reactions could be obtained after repeated transfusions. A variety of bacteria were also demonstrated to be susceptible to HN2 in the presence of plasma, with sterilizing dosages ranging from 350-800 mg./l. It was concluded from these studies that the N mustards offer a possible means of inactivating the causative agent of homologous serum jaundice in plasma and whole blood for later use after hydrolysis or neutralization of the active compound .