ABSTRACT
To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of assays used to screen blood for antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the International Consortium for Blood Safety (ICBS) established fully characterized CBS panels. lCBS collected and characterized 1007 anti-HCV-positive plasma units from geographically diverse origins by ELISA, RIBA, RT-PCR, and sequence-based genotyping, 539 of which met the definition of a true positive. Of these, 200 confirmed positive plasma units, representing the 6 major HCV genotypes, were selected to assemble the true-positive constituents of the panel. The negative panel comprises 181 plasma units collected from the USA. The panels have proved valuable for determining the performance of anti-HCV assays thus permitting national authorities, especially in resource-limited countries, to make informed decisions on selection of affordable and reliable assays.
Subject(s)
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Hepatitis C/diagnosis , Hepatitis C/virology , Mass Screening/methods , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Transfusion Reaction , Blood Donors , Blood Transfusion/standards , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/standards , Genotype , Global Health , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C/blood , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Humans , International Agencies , Mass Screening/standards , Molecular Epidemiology , Nucleotide Mapping , Phylogeny , RNA, Viral , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/standards , Safety Management/organization & administration , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of assays used to screen blood for antibody to hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection, the International Consortium for Blood Safety [ICBS] established fully characterized ICBS panels. ICBS collected and characterized 1007 anti-HCV-positive plasma units from geographically diverse origins by ELISA, RIBA, RT-PCR, and sequence-based genotyping, 539 of which met the definition of a true positive. Of these, 200 confirmed positive plasma units, representing the 6 major HCV genotypes, were selected to assemble the true-positive constituents of the panel. The negative panel comprises 181 plasma units collected from the USA. The panels have proved valuable for determining the performance of anti-HCV assays thus permitting national authorities, especially in resource-limited countries, to make informed decisions on selection of affordable and reliable assays
Subject(s)
Safety Management , Sensitivity and Specificity , Mass Screening , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Hepatitis C , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Blood TransfusionABSTRACT
In developing countries the organization of health laboratory services commonly leaves much to be desired. Poor coordination and the absence of clear policies often inhibit efficiency and efficacy. Ways of remedying such situations are examined in the present article.
Subject(s)
Developing Countries , Health Services Administration , Interinstitutional Relations , Laboratories , Policy Making , Program DevelopmentABSTRACT
Hospital-acquired infections constitute a significant problem throughout the world. Ways of dealing with them are reviewed below, with particular reference to conditions in the developing countries.
Subject(s)
Communicable Disease Control/organization & administration , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Developing Countries , World Health Organization , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Humans , Inservice Training , Population Surveillance , Professional Staff CommitteesABSTRACT
A compulsory immunization policy against measles was introduced in the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in 1972. Data are presented to show that a decreased incidence of measles followed this programme. Nevertheless, measles epidemics still occur and the serological status of the population has, therefore, been examined. In the area of Tripoli, measles haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibodies were found at a titre of greater than or equal to 1:10 in 97% of the adult population, and in 78%, 100% and 97.1% of schoolchildren of primary, preparatory and secondary schools respectively. The relatively high HI titres observed, particularly in adults, imply that antigenic restimulation of antibody against measles occurs and thus that coverage by immunization remains inadequate. Increased efforts to improve immunization coverage at an early age are recommended.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Immunization , Measles/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests , Humans , Immunization, Secondary , Libya , Male , Measles/immunology , Measles/prevention & control , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Salmonella isolation was attempted from 32,336 human faecal specimens obtained between 1975 and 1980 from cases of diarrhoea in hospitals and clinics in the area of Tripoli, Libya. 34 different Salmonella serotypes were identified, by far the most common being S. wien and S. muenchen.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea/microbiology , Feces/microbiology , Salmonella/isolation & purification , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Libya , Salmonella/classificationABSTRACT
Toxoplasma antibodies were found at a titre of 1:16 or above in 51.6% of 2000 adult males, in 43.4% of 300 adult females, and in 43.7% of 1980 schoolchildren (7-18 years of age) from the area of Tripoli (Libya). However, 69.4% of a group of 1921 female patients with a history of abortion and clinically suspected of being infected with T. gondii had Toxoplasma antibodies, and 18.6% of them exhibited serological evidence of recent infection (4-fold or greater increase in antibody titre over 2-3 weeks).
