title: Accuracy and cost-benefit of pooled versus singleton screening blood donations for anti-HIV: impact on different blood bank set-ups.
abstract: This study evaluates the accuracy and cost-benefit of implementing a pooled screening procedure in blood banks in general and especially in developing countries. The sensitivity of pooled testing was found to be relatively high, with the lowest levels estimated at about 98% for pools consisting of three, six, and 12 samples. Screening in pools of up to 12 samples is expected to be economically beneficial in countries with HIV prevalence rates of 8-10%, which cannot afford the cost of care for an HIV-infected patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Evaluation, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer, Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Novack
authors.forename: Joseph S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Pliskin
authors.forename: Eilat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shinar
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Safi
authors.forename: Batia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarov
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D000094902:Blood Banking / Q000379:methods*; D001782:Blood Donors; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies