Evaluation of nucleic acid testing for blood donors: One year study

Abstract

Aims: Blood transfusion is an essential management to save patients life in health care system. Blood is a potential source of transmitted diseases which make the safety of blood products important issue in laboratory medicine. Investigations of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI), especially hepatitis viruses and acquired immunodeficiency virus, are essential in all blood bank policies. Several methods were applied to screen blood products for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and acquired immunodeficiency virus. Methods: Blood donor's samples for one year were collected and examined for hepatitis viruses and acquired immunodeficiency virus by using serological and nucleic acid testing (NAT). Results: Comparative study showed that NAT is more specific than serologic screening testing for both hepatitis C virus and acquired immunodeficiency virus. However, NAT and serological tests are required to increase the safety of blood components from hepatitis B virus transmission. Conclusion: This study is an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of introducing NAT for examination of blood components. National-wide study is required to evaluate the policy of blood screening program.

Authors and Affiliations

Hussain Al- Turaifi

Keywords

Related Articles

Lifetime risk and characterization of red blood cell alloimmunization in chronically transfused patients with sickle cell disease

Aims: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are often exposed to multiple units of blood transfusions predisposing them to the development of alloantibodies. Alloantibodies make subsequent transfusion difficult, costly...

Assessment of donor deferral rates and deferral reasons at the Namibia blood transfusion services

Aims: Despite the need to recruit and retain more blood donors, some are deferred from donating to ensure their safety and that of recipients is maintained. Examination of donor deferrals provides insights into how donor...

Analysis of the evolution of the residual risk of HIV transmission at the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS) of Lomé (Togo) from January 2008 to December 2012

Aims: This study aimed to: - Analyze the HIV residual risk of transfusion at the CNTS of Lomé from January 2008 to December 2012 - Indicate future directions to strengthen blood safety. Methods: The residual risk of HIV...

Comparative study of two automated pre-transfusion testing systems (microplate and gel column methods) with standard tube technique

Aims: Clinically significant antibodies may become undetectable and still provoke transfusion reactions. Hemolysis has been reported among transfusion recipients with anti-Kidd that was undetectable by gel column but det...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP209968
  • DOI 10.5348/ijbti-2015-18-OA-4
  • Views 115
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Hussain Al- Turaifi (2015). Evaluation of nucleic acid testing for blood donors: One year study. International Journal of Blood Transfusion and Immunohematology, 5(2), 19-25. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-209968