Fibrin glue safety: inactivation of potential viral contaminants by pasteurization of the human plasma components.

Fibrin glue has become an indispensable tool in salvaging operations of the parenchymatous organs of the abdomen, in vascular and ophthalmic plastic surgery as well as neurosurgery. Currently available glues contain clotting factors from human plasma and thus carry the potential risk of transmitting viral infections like hepatitis or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Combined efforts in selection of plasma donations as well as pasteurization of the human plasma products allow the manufacturing of a product (Beriplast) with virtually no risk of transmission of viral infections as demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro experiments with a variety of human pathogenic viruses. No changes in activity or antigenicity of the clotting factors by the pasteurization procedure have been encountered.