[Pretransfusion screening tests for HIV and HTLV-I in donated blood]

Abstract

Screening tests for HIV and HTLV-I in donated blood were introduced into Japan in Nov. 1986. I) The incidence of HIV-antibody (Ab) among donated blood in Japan is hitherto as low as 1-2/500,000. However, those Ab tests used at present may overlook HIV-infected donors before of their seroconversion. A newly developed HIV-antigen (Ag) test has yielded positive results in 4 out of 29 (13.8%) of our HIV-Ab+ hemophiliacs (all in the AC stage), although none of the 27 HIV-Ab negatives were HIV-Ag+. The rate of Ag+ was higher in the group showing disappearance of p 24-band on the Western blot (WB). The isolation of HIV was successful in 6 out of 13 (46.2%) AC hemophiliacs, even in three with negative HIV-Ag. The usefulness of these new tests for screening should be estimated from the standpoint of the cost/benefit balance. In future, the screening for HIV-2 may also be needed. II) Gelatin particle agglutination test (PA) could detect not only IgG- but also IgM-HTLV-I Ab, while the latter is overlooked by ELISA. On the other hand, a few of false negatives by PA could be observed. Anti-HTLV-I Ab was found in 2% of our donors, the frequency being higher among those who had previously received blood transfusions. If possible, all of the donated blood should be chemically and/or physically treated to inactivate any contaminating viruses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)