Abstract

 Background and Objectives

  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 the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV infection. In this study, blood donations were screened for HCV RNA by RT-PCR method.

  Materials and Methods 

  An extra plasma sample was collected from 1026 blood donors. 1000 out of 1026 samples were negative for HBsAg, anti-HCV (EIA, third generation), anti-HIV and RPR. Every 5 samples were pooled. The sensitivity of HCV-RNA detection by RT-PCR method was 380 geq/ml according to Proficiency VQC panel. 1000 donations in 200 pools were tested.

 Results

 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 of the samples were negative for HCV RNA by RT-PCR method.

 Conclusions

 No sample was found to be serologically negative and HCV RNA positive. However, further studies are recommended for further clarification.