Rapid random-donor screening for the selection of viral antibody-containing blood donations

We describe a 3 1/2 year trial in which we used immunofluorescence to detect and titrate antibody to six common viruses in normal healthy blood donors drawn at random from West and South East Scotland. The trial was designed to allow selection of blood donations rich in specific antiviral antibody for inclusion in the plasma pool which would, in turn, be used for the preparation of specific antiviral immunoglobulin. The results show the natural frequency of occurrence of antibody to different viruses in healthy adult blood donors.