Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing elemental selenium (Se(0)), Se(0)-carrier conjugates, a chromophore photoproduct, fluorescent conjugates of the chromophore photoproduct and carrier molecules, or a mixture thereof are disclosed. Methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions such as inducing cell death are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of making the pharmaceutical compositions and components thereof.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing elemental selenium (Se(0)), Se(0)-carrier conjugates, a chromophore photoproduct, fluorescent conjugates of the chromophore photoproduct and carrier molecules, or a mixture thereof are disclosed. Methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions such as inducing cell death are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of making the pharmaceutical compositions and components thereof.

Abstract: A method for externally eradicating by inactivation infectious pathogenic contaminants in body tissues, such as blood, so that it can be introduced into an animal comprises admixing the body tissues with an effective, non-toxic, amount of a photoactive agent which selectively binds to the contaminant, passing the resulting mixture through an irradiation chamber, and then irradiating the resulting mixture with an effective level of visible light for an effective period of time to eradicate the contaminants.

Abstract: A method of treating a body fluid so as to inactivate protozoa in said fluid comprises mixing the body fluid with an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent which will bind to cell-free protozoa and/or protozoan-infected cells, and then exposing the resulting mixture to visible light to inactivate the protozoa. An apparatus for use in the method includes at least one container which contains a body fluid containing protozoa and an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent to bind to the protozoa. The apparatus has at least one wall which is permeable to visible light.

Abstract: A method of treating a body fluid which is to be infused so as to inactivate any enveloped viruses in said fluid comprises mixing the body fluid with an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent which will bind to the viruses and/or virus infected cells and photosensitize them, and then exposing the resulting mixture to visible light to excite and inactivate the viruses. An apparatus for use in the method includes at least one container which contains an effective amount of the photosensitizing agent and which has at least one wall which is permeable to visible light. A number of photosensitizing agents which can be used in the method also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inactivating viruses comprises bringing the viruses into contact with an effective amount of a photosensitizing agent which will bind to the viruses and/or virus infected cells, and then exposing the resulting mixture to visible light to excite and inactivate the viruses.