SERUM HEPATITIS FROM POOLED IRRADIATED DRIED PLASMA

Abstract

An understanding of the relationship between the occurrence of homologous serum hepatitis and the transfusion of pooled dried human plasma irradiated with ultraviolet light is necessary in order to evaluate the usefulness of the large volume of dried plasma now being manufactured. Early reports¹ indicated that the etiological agent of homologous serum hepatitis is destroyed by ultraviolet irradiation. More recent reports² have indicated that the methods of irradiation are not always adequate. The present study was conducted to determine further the role of irradiated dried plasma in the transmission of homologous serum hepatitis. The plasma used in this study consisted of official test samples submitted by seven licensed processors to the Laboratory of Biologics Control of the National Microbiological Institute for evaluation before release of the material. Samples from each processor are tested for sterility, freedom from pyrogens, hemoglobin content, and solubility and must meet minimum requirements before