Treating donated blood with vitamin B and UV radiation can reduce the risk of malaria through blood transfusion

A team of researchers has come up with a new blood treatment technology that could make blood transfusions in high risk malaria zones safer.

By: Agencies | | Updated: April 22, 2016 6:55 pm

April 25th is World Malaria Day Also Read - Chikungunya test and diagnosis – everything you need to know

Also Read - World Malaria Day: How COVID-19 is affecting India’s fight against this mosquito-borne disease

A team of researchers has come up with a new blood treatment technology that could make blood transfusions in high risk malaria zones safer. Also Read - World Malaria Day 2020: Importance, theme and history

The new trial suggests that treating donated blood with a cocktail of UV radiation and vitamin B is safe and could minimise the risk of malaria infection following blood transfusions. Lead author Jean-Pierre Allain from the University of Cambridge said that testing for parasites such as malaria is expensive and until now, there have been no technologies capable of treating whole blood, which is most commonly used in transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa. Read–6 ways to prevent malaria.

Allain noted thatthis is the first study to look at the potential of pathogen-reduction technology in a real-world treatment setting and finds that although the risk of malaria transmission is not completely eliminated, the risk is severely reduced. The technology is currently in the testing phase, and the authors add that further studies, in larger population groups, and in particular at risk populations such as young children and pregnant mothers are now needed. The study is published ahead of World Malaria Day, 25th April, in The Lancet

Source: ANI

Image source–Shutterstock

Published : April 22, 2016 2:31 pm | Updated:April 22, 2016 6:55 pm

Read Disclaimer

Cholesterol and blood pressure drugs control heart diseases in the elderly: Study

Overuse of smartphones can damage your child's eyes

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com

+91 – 22 – 6697 1234

91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

We respect your privacy

Cholesterol and blood pressure drugs control heart diseases in the elderly: Study

Overuse of smartphones can damage your child's eyes

Chikungunya test and diagnosis – everything you need to know

World Malaria Day: How COVID-19 is affecting India’s fight against this mosquito-borne disease

World Malaria Day 2020: Importance, theme and history

Deadly malaria strain can protect itself from your immune system

Zika virus: Delayed treatment can cause these complications

About The health Site

Useful Links