| abstract |
A method is provided for treating blood and its compositions to remove pathogenic microorganisms present therein. The invention comprises contacting cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I2) with blood and separating the cross-linked PVP-iodine and the cells therein from the soluble portion of the blood. The preferred method involves loading cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine onto a filter having a porosity less than either the particle size of the cross-linked PVP-iodine or the blood cells in the composition, contacting the thus-loaded filter bed with the blood thereby to inactivate the microorganisms therein, passing the treated soluble portion of the blood composition through said filter, collecting the thus-treated blood cells remaining on the filter, and purifying the treated soluble portion of the blood composition by contacting it with cross-linked PVP to remove any residual iodine therein. |