Nucleic Acid Testing and Blood Safety
Author Information
Author(s): Mary E. Chamberland, Harvey J. Alter, Michael P. Busch, George Nemo, Maura Ricketts
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Can nucleic acid testing (NAT) reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections?
Conclusion
Nucleic acid testing significantly reduces the window period for detecting infections in blood donations, enhancing transfusion safety.
Supporting Evidence
- NAT testing reduced the preantibody seroconversion window period for HIV from 22 days to about 12 days.
- NAT testing revealed 42 HCV-positive donations that were missed by serologic tests.
- The cost of the mini-pool NAT procedure is estimated at $1.2 million per quality-adjusted life year.
Takeaway
Scientists are using special tests to find germs in blood donations faster, which helps keep people safe when they get blood transfusions.
Methodology
NAT was implemented for screening blood donations, using pooled strategies for efficiency.
Limitations
The NAT process is complex and can take longer than traditional tests, and some blood components may be released before NAT is completed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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