Donation testing and transfusion transmissible infections

Abstract

All donations should be routinely tested for the ABO and Rh blood groups, screened for red cell antibodies and should be tested for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C and syphilis. Red cell serology testing ABO and Rh typing red cell antibody screening ABO antibody strength (haemolysing potential) red cell antigen screening automated testing for red cell serology Transfusion transmissible Infections (TTIs) Window period Testing algorithms: screening and confirmatory testing Specific TTIs human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) syphilis Other transmissible infections other transmissible viruses transmissible parasites prions bacteria Emerging pathogens Lookback and traceback procedures Red cell serology testing The tests described in this section are based on manual testing. Reagent antisera should be standardised for both rapid spin and longer incubation techniques, as a rapid spin technique is not practical when dealing with large numbers of samples. [...]batches of tests may be incubated at room temperature for about an hour (depending on manufacturer’s instructions) before reading. When the A antigen is very weak and is not readily detectable on initial testing, even when using avid blood grouping reagents, the presence of anti‐A1 in the donor serum/plasma may complicate the interpretation of the ABO blood group.