Removal and inactivation of hepatitis B virus from contaminated pooled plasma in a large-scale manufacturing process for factor VIII and human serum albumin

Background and Objectives: The Japanese Red Cross Society recalled one lot of monoclonal-antibody-purified factor VIII (F VIII) and two lots of human serum albumin (HSA) 5 months after preparation of the final products, becau se of a procedural error that led to contamination by a unit of plasma posi tive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), We evaluated the effectivenes s of virus inactivation/removal in a large-scale process for manufacturing F VIII and HSA, Materials and Methods: HBV DNA in the retained samples in p rocess was measured by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The kinetics of virus inactivation by solvent-detergent (S/D) treatment was examined using model viruses. We also did a look-back survey of the patients who received corresponding products. Results: Contaminated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA became undetectable beyond fraction S IV-I in the albumin process and immun oaffinity chromatography in the F VIII process, respectively. The model vir uses were inactivated within 5 s by S/D treatment. There is no evidence tha t patients were infected by HBV after transfusion of these products, Conclu sion: We conclude that virus inactivation/removal was effectively achieved in a large-scale manufacturing process for F VIII and HSA.