title: Detection of an early HIV-1 infection by HIV RNA testing in an Italian blood donor during the preseroconversion window period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The implementation of NAT technologies for HIV screening has further reduced the diagnostic window in recent HIV infection. There is still a debate regarding the cost effectiveness of genomic screening of blood donations for transfusion-transmitted viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Since October 2001, at the Transfusion Service of Verona, single-donation NAT testing for HCV and HIV-1 (Procleix TMA HIV-1/HCV Assay) of all blood donations has been performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of acute HIV-1 infection detected by HIV NAT in a repeat blood donor who donated during the preseroconversion window period is reported. All blood components donated were discarded, and the donor started antiretroviral therapy 2 weeks after blood donation. HIV-1 p24 antigen was still negative 10 days after the HIV-1 RNA-positive blood donation. Seroconversion was documented by Day 41 after donation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report testifies that HIV NAT screening of blood donation is effective in preventing the transmission of HIV infection through blood components.
authors.affiliation: Transfusion Service, Verona Hospital, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aprili
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gandini
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.forename: Fausto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bressan
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Gironcoli
authors.forename: Romualdo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mazzi
authors.forename: Saverio G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gessoni
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marchiori
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchini
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001782:Blood Donors; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000097:blood; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D012367:RNA, Viral