Testing blood donors for syphilis, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), and Trypanosoma cruzi infection is mandated by the FDA and AABB Standards. Syphilis was the first transfusion-transmitted disease for which the blood supply was screened in the United States. HTLV…
West Nile virus (WNV), a single-stranded RNA flavivirus, is primarily spread by the mosquito Aedes albopictus. The only screening test used for WNV is nucleic acid testing (NAT), although IgG and IgM antibody testing may be used for donor counseling.…
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is primarily transmitted through blood exposure. It is a single-stranded RNA flavivirus, distinguished by a low rate of recognized acute infection and a high rate of chronic infection that results in substantial morbidity and mortality over…
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus from the family Hepadnaviridae . It is transmitted parenterally, sexually, and perinatally. Every blood donation is tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and HBV nucleic acid…
Screening donated blood for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is critical to maintaining a safe blood supply. HIV transmission by intravenous administration of infected blood products proved to be highly efficient and accordingly, shortly after HIV-1 discovery in 1983, donor deferral…