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Related Experiment Videos

Nucleic acid testing: update and applications.

R J Benjamin1

  • 1Adult Transfusion Service, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Seminars in Hematology
|October 31, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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Nucleic acid testing (NAT) significantly reduces transfusion risks for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This advanced screening technology enhances blood supply safety, complementing existing serologic tests.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Transfusion Medicine
  • Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

  • Nucleic acid testing (NAT) offers a method to reduce the window of infectiousness for bloodborne viruses like hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • The European Commission mandated NAT for HCV in source plasma, driving its adoption in the United States for blood supply screening.
  • Pioneering NAT use in the plasma industry for hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and parvovirus B19 suggests broader applications for viral safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the implementation and impact of NAT for HCV and HIV screening in the US blood supply.
  • To assess the value of investigational NAT assays, specifically Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in reducing transfusion-transmitted infections.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Screening of over 95% of the US blood supply using investigational NAT assays for HCV and HIV.
  • Utilizing technologies such as Procleix TMA HCV/HIV and COBAS AmpliScreen PCR assays.
  • Restricting the release of red blood cell (RBC) and plasma products pending NAT results.

Main Results:

  • NAT implementation has been challenged by the lack of automated, low-cost technologies, FDA-approved assays, and extended turnaround times.
  • Investigational trials of TMA and PCR assays are beginning to demonstrate their effectiveness in blood screening.
  • NAT assays are proving valuable in further reducing the already low risk of viral transmission via blood transfusion.

Conclusions:

  • NAT plays a crucial role in enhancing blood supply safety by detecting viral infections earlier than serologic methods.
  • While NAT complements serologic testing, it is essential for minimizing transfusion-related risks of HCV and HIV.
  • Continued development and implementation of NAT technologies are vital for advancing transfusion safety and public health.