methylene blue-treated plasma

Methylene blue-treated plasma is a pathogen-reduced blood product produced by treating human fresh frozen plasma with methylene blue (a phenothiazine dye) followed by illumination with visible light. Methylene blue acts as a photosensitizer that intercalates into the nucleic acids of lipid-enveloped viruses, bacteria, and parasites within the plasma. Upon exposure to light in the 590–630 nm range, the dye generates reactive oxygen species, particularly singlet oxygen, which induces oxidative damage and irreversible cross-linking of viral and microbial DNA and RNA. This process effectively inactivates a wide range of pathogens, including HIV, HBV, and HCV, while largely preserving the activity of essential coagulation factors such as Fibrinogen and Factor VIII. It is primarily indicated for the replacement of multiple coagulation factor deficiencies and the management of bleeding in patients where specific factor concentrates are unavailable.

Brand names

THERAFLEX MB-PlasmaSpringPla MB

Other names

Methylene blue-inactivated plasmaPhotochemically treated fresh frozen plasmaMethylene blue-treated fresh frozen plasma