Evaluation of anti-HCV ELISA seropositivity in voluntary blood donors: a proposal for donor counseling strategies.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anti-HCV (hepatitic C virus) reactivity for the development of an individual donor counseling strategy which would prevent unnecessary donor deferment without compromising the safety of blood products.


METHODS
All donors, who were repeatedly reactive in the Ortho HCV ELISA as well as the Abbott HCV EIA screening tests were selected for follow-up testing. At follow-up three screening tests (Ortho, Abbott, and UBI HCV EIA) and two confirmation tests (Riba 4 and PCR HCV RNA) were performed. During the counseling interview risk factors and medical history were recorded.


METHODS
Blood bank Zuid-Limburg, Maastricht, the Netherlands; estimated donor population 17,500.


METHODS
A total of 54 donors could be completely evaluated.


RESULTS
The participants could be divided into five different categories, requiring specific donor information and different blood bank policies. The donors in categories 1 and 2 (n = 11) had false-positive reactions and were kept active. Category 3 and 4 donors (n = 28) showed indeterminate results and were permanently or temporarily excluded. Finally, in category 5 donors (n = 15) a HCV infection could be diagnosed on the basis of either Riba-positive or PCR-positive results.


CONCLUSIONS
An anti-HCV screening policy should include a careful evaluation and confirmation of antibody reactivity. A strategy is suggested which allows an individual donor counseling, prevents unnecessary donor deferment, and avoids unnecessary fear of seropositivity.
Beckers
E A
EA
Rode Kruis Bloedbank Zuid-Limburg, Maastricht, Nederland.
Thijssen
P M
PM
Nijdam
T
T
Van Rhenen
D J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D001771:Blood Banks; D001782:Blood Donors; D003376:Counseling; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies