Fatemeh Musavi

Prevalence, incidence, and residual risk of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infections among United States blood donors since the introduction of nucleic acid testing.

BACKGROUND: Nucleic acid testing (NAT) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) was introduced for blood donation screening in the United States in 1999. This study analyzes temporal trends of these two infections since NAT introduction.

Current incidence and residual risk of hepatitis B infection among blood donors in the United States

BACKGROUND: This study used two approaches to estimate the current incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a US donor population.

Changing age distribution of the blood donor population in the United States

BACKGROUND: The American Red Cross has been maintaining a research database of all blood donors. Such a database provides a unique opportunity for monitoring changes over time in donor and donation patterns.

Donor deferral and resulting donor loss at the American Red Cross Blood Services, 2001 through 2006

BACKGROUND: A large number of blood donors are deferred each year and many of the temporarily deferred donors do not return to donate blood. This study analyzed actual deferral and return donation data from the American Red Cross to further assess the impact of donor deferral on donor availability.

Patterns of age‐ and sex‐specific prevalence of major blood‐borne infections in United States blood donors, 1995 to 2002: American Red Cross blood donor study

BACKGROUND:  The American Red Cross has been maintaining a research database of all blood donations, including all testing results for infectious disease markers, since 1995. This study analyzes the temporal trends of major blood‐borne infections among blood donors.

Blood donation screening for hepatitis B virus markers in the era of nucleic acid testing: are all tests of value?

BACKGROUND: The American Red Cross implemented hepatitis B virus (HBV) minipool (MP)‐nucleic acid testing (NAT) in June 2009, in addition to existing tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc). The value of all three tests was evaluated.

Prevalence, incidence, and residual risk of major blood-borne infections among apheresis collections to the American Red Cross Blood Services, 2004 through 2008.

BACKGROUND: The number of apheresis collections increased significantly in recent years; however, data on viral marker rates among these collections are lacking.

Current impact of the confidential unit exclusion option

BACKGROUND: In 1986, the FDA recommended using a confidential unit exclusion (CUE) option in blood centers; this was rescinded in 1992. The American Red Cross (ARC) has continued using the option. This study assessed its current impact.

Prevalence of selected viral infections among temporarily deferred donors who returned to donate blood: American Red Cross blood donor study

BACKGROUND:  Health history questions are introduced into the predonation interview to identify blood donors believed to pose a higher risk of infectious diseases to recipients. This study assesses the current impact of some of those questions.

Prevalence of selected viral infections among blood donors deferred for potential risk to blood safety

BACKGROUND: Health history questions identify blood donors believed to pose a higher risk of transmission of infectious diseases. This study assesses the current impact of some of these questions on blood safety as reflected by infectious disease markers.