Factor VIII concentrates are available in freeze-dried forms. They are preferred to cryoprecipitate in treating haemophilia as they contain less fibrinogen, are less bulky, and can be stored at four degrees centigrade.
They are prepared from large pools of donor plasma and so are heat treated to eradicate any potential HIV or hepatitis virus contaminants, although this slightly reduces the functional Factor VIII content and so adds to the cost of treatment.
Factor VIII concentrate is used to treat haemophilia A and von Willebrand's disease. Porcine and bovine factor VIII concentrates are given to those patients who develop antibodies to Factor VIII.
Genetically engineered Factor VIII is now available and is virus free.
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