Detection of serum antibodies to hepatitis C virus in 'false-seronegative' blood donors in Oman

To detect hepatitis C virus [HCV] antibodies in seronegative donors by disruption of the immune complexes [ICs]. HCV antibody detection was carried out on 600 seronegative donors following an IC dissociation assay. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] was then performed on the positive results. Nine of the 600 samples [1.5%] were positive for IC-dissociated HCV antibodies. Of the 9 only 3 antibody-positive samples had detectable HCV RNA. Screening for antibodies to HCV in combination with PCR appears to be the safest way to reduce the residual risk of HCV in blood transfusion