Method for the microbial decontamination of blood platelets

Abstract

A method for inactivating microbiological contaminants in a human blood platelet preparation is disclosed. The method comprises, first, providing blood platelets, particularly human blood platelets, suspected of being contaminated with microorganisms. The platelets are then contacted to a fixative for a time sufficient to fix the platelets. After fixing, the platelets are preferably washed and dried to produce fixed-dried platelets. The step of contacting the platelets to a fixative is carried out for a time sufficient to kill some or all the of the contaminating microorganisms.