Detection of an early HIV-1 infection by HIV RNA testing in an Italian blood donor during the preseroconversion window period.
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.
Aprili
Giuseppe
G
Transfusion Service, Verona Hospital, Verona, Italy.
Gandini
Giorgio
G
Piccoli
Pierluigi
P
Bressan
Fausto
F
De Gironcoli
Marzia
M
Mazzi
Romualdo
R
Parisi
Saverio G
SG
Gessoni
Gianluca
G
Marchiori
Giorgio
G
Franchini
Massimo
M
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*
D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D012367:RNA, Viral