Sensitivity of serological assays to identify blood donors with hepatitis C viraemia.
Blood donors at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were tested for viraemia by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR results were accepted as positive only if reactive in 3 of 4 tests and if confirmed in an independent laboratory. The sera were also tested by 6 different assays to determine the ability of current serological assays to detect viraemic blood donors. Of 19 PCR-positive sera, only 13 (68%) were detected by the most sensitive of the serological assays. If these results are confirmed, automated PCR assays may be required for blood-donor screening to prevent transmission of HCV.
First Department of Pathology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
M
M
Sugitani
G
G
Inchauspé
M
M
Shindo
A M
AM
Prince
D001782:Blood Donors; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014766:Viremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies