Mini-pool screening for HCV infection in Iranian blood donors: preliminary results

ABSTRACT

Screening the blood donors for serological markers reduced the incidence of transfusion transmitted infections especially post-transfusion hepatitis C. However, there remains residual risk due to pre-seroconversion period. HCV RNA [PCR] of blood donations reduced theresidual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. In this study, blood donations werescreened for HCV RNA by RT-PCR method.An extra plasma sample was collected from 1026 blood donors. 1000 out of 1026 sampleswere negative for HBsAg, anti-HCV [EIA, third generation], anti-HIV and RPR. Every 5samples were pooled. The sensitivity of HCV-RNA detection by RT-PCR method was 380geq/ml according to Proficiency VQC panel. 1000 donations in 200 pools were tested.False reactivity of samples considered positive accounts for 5.5% of cases, and 5.5% were invalid due to non-specilic bands. 6% of the pools were false-positive. A false positive result was defined as positive on initial testing but negative on repeat single testing. However, all ofthe samples were negative for HCV RNA by RT-PCR method.No sample was found to be serologically negative and HCV RNA positive. However, further studies are recommended for further clarification