Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 9, 2026
15:49
Reverse Genetics to Engineer Positive-Sense RNA Virus Variants
Published on: June 9, 2022
2.1K
Comparison of neutralization profiles for anti-HCV reactive donor samples with or without detectable HCV RNA
A Kuroishi1, K Yasui1, H Matsukura1
1Japanese Red Cross Kinki Block Blood Center, Osaka, Japan.
Vox Sanguinis
|June 23, 2015
Summary
Researchers identified past hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in blood donors by analyzing neutralizing antibody activity. This helps distinguish true positives from false positives in HCV screening.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Blood Transfusion Safety
Background:
- Japanese Red Cross (JRC) blood centers screen donations for hepatitis C virus (HCV) using serological and nucleic acid amplification tests.
- Donor plasma reactive for anti-HCV antibodies but negative for HCV RNA is disqualified, but current methods cannot distinguish past infection from false positives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize antibody test results in donors with anti-HCV reactivity but no detectable HCV RNA.
- To investigate the neutralizing activity of these plasma samples to better understand HCV infection status.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 43 donor plasma samples reactive for anti-HCV but negative for HCV RNA.
- Measured neutralizing activity by inhibiting cellular entry of HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp) displaying HCV envelope glycoproteins.
Main Results:
- Three of 43 plasma samples exhibited strong and broad neutralizing activity against HCVpp entry.
- This activity was comparable to samples from individuals with confirmed chronic HCV infection (anti-HCV reactive and HCV RNA positive).
Conclusions:
- Neutralizing activity analysis can identify individuals with past HCV infection among those with unconfirmed results by current JRC algorithms.
- This approach aids in differentiating true past infections from false-positive screening results, improving blood safety.
