Development of a mitochondrial DNA real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for quality control of pathogen reduction with riboflavin and ultraviolet light

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Transfusion is associated with a risk of infection and alloimmunization. Pathogen reduction using riboflavin and UV light (Mirasol treatment) inactivates pathogens and leucocytes. With increasing adoption of the technology in clinical use, regulatory agencies have recommended the introduction of quality control measures to monitor pathogen reduction efficacy. We sought to develop a real-time PCR-based assay to document the impact of pathogen reduction on the mitochondrial genome in blood components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA was extracted from platelet and plasma components before and after treatment with riboflavin and UV light. Inhibition of PCR amplification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in short- and long-amplicon target regions, ranging from under 200 base pairs (bp) to over 1800 bp, was measured in treated relative to untreated components.

RESULTS

Pathogen reduction of platelets using riboflavin and UV light resulted in inhibition of PCR amplification of long-amplicon mtDNA targets, demonstrating approximately 1 log reduction of amplification relative to untreated products. Amplification of short-amplicon mtDNA targets was not affected by treatment. Evaluation of 110 blinded platelet samples from the PREPAReS clinical trial resulted in prediction of treatment status with 100% accuracy. Pathogen reduction of plasma components resulted in similar levels of PCR inhibition, while testing of 30 blinded plasma samples resulted in prediction of treatment status with 93% accuracy.

CONCLUSION

A differential sized amplicon real-time PCR assay of mitochondrial DNA effectively documents nucleic acid damage induced by Mirasol treatment of platelets. The use of the assay for plasma product pathogen reduction requires further investigation.

0754 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Hypersomnia (CBT-H): A Feasibility Study for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to conduct a feasibility trial for a novel cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-H) aimed at improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with hypersomnia.

Methods

Participants were 35 adults (32 female, mean age=32.0 years, SD=12.9) with an established diagnosis of Narcolepsy Type 1 (n=12), Type 2 (n=11), or Idiopathic Hypersomnia (n=12). Participants were assigned to individual (n=19) or group (n=16, 3-5 per group) format of a 6-session, manualized CBT-H, delivered using live videoconferencing. Key components of CBT-H included structuring daytime behaviors (e.g., planned naps), emotion regulation techniques, and energy management strategies. Outcome measures for HRQoL included PROMIS measures for depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and social isolation. Other clinical outcome measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Exit interviews were used to collect qualitative data to inform acceptability of the intervention.

Results

Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted on the entire sample with the last observation carried forward for 3 participants who did not provide post-treatment data. Paired-samples t-test revealed a significant reduction on PROMIS depression (t[34]=2.05, p=0.0486, d=-0.35), and significant increases on PROMIS general self-efficacy (t[34]=3.64, p=0.0009, d=0.62) and self-efficacy managing social interactions (t[34]=2.14, p=0.0396, d=0.36). Significant reductions were also observed on the ESS (t[34]=2.07, p=0.0458, d=-0.35) and PHQ (t[34]=4.42, p<.0001, d=-0.75). Mixed-design ANOVAs revealed no significant differences on hypersomnia diagnosis or treatment format. Qualitative data supported the acceptability of telehealth delivery with mixed opinions regarding the format and number of sessions.

Conclusion

These findings support the acceptability of a novel CBT-H delivered using a telehealth model and the feasibility of reducing excessive sleepiness and improving HRQoL, particularly in the domains of self-efficacy and depression, in people with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

Support

This study was supported by grant 185-SR-17 from the American Sleep Medicine Foundation.