Procedures for the inactivation of viruses in clotting factor concentrates.

A considerable body of data has accumulated on the viral inactivated clotting factor concentrates. This information strongly indicates considerable safety and expected efficacy of these products. Probably most procedures are capable of inactivating large amounts of the LAV/HTLV-III virus, but there is considerable variability between products in the ability to inactivate the hepatitis viruses and perhaps also the LAV/HTLV-III. This variability is probably related to the mechanism of viral inactivation, the time of exposure to heat or chemical additives, and also the presence and type of stabilizer. So-called "second-generation" products will probably show improved elimination of more resistant viruses including the non-A, non-B forms.