Marie Deschaseaux

Is an assay for simultaneous detection of hepatitis C virus core antigen and antibody a valuable alternative to nucleic acid testing

BACKGROUND: A new enzyme immunoassay based on the simultaneous detection of nucleocapsid proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and anti‐HCV (Monolisa HCV antigen‐antibody Ultra, Bio‐Rad) was evaluated as an alternative to nucleic acid testing (NAT) for the diagnosis of HCV infection during the window period in blood donations.

Sensitivity of two hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleic acid test systems relative to hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and p24/anti-HIV combination assays in seroconversion panels.

BACKGROUND: Accurate determination of the infectious window period (IWP) that remains with individual‐donation (ID) or minipool (MP) NAT compared to those with serology assays is essential for residual risk estimations.

Comparison of the analytical and operational performance of two viral nucleic acid test blood screening systems: Procleix Tigris and cobas s 201.

BACKGROUND: The operational and analytical performance of two automated triplex hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleic acid test (NAT) systems were compared in four screening laboratories of the French Blood Service.

Evaluation of the enhanced bacterial detection system for screening of contaminated platelets

BACKGROUND:  The Pall third‐generation enhanced bacterial detection system (eBDS) was recently approved for detection of bacterial contamination in leukoreduced platelets (PLTs). The method is based on the measurement of the oxygen content as a marker for bacteria. eBDS incorporates major modifications including removal of the sample‐set filter, modification of the culture medium, and incubation with agitation of the sample pouch.

HIV antibody screening remains indispensable for ensuring viral safety of blood components despite NAT implementation

BACKGROUND:  The main objective of the imple‐mentation of NAT for the screening of blood‐borne viruses was to compensate for the failure of serologic assays during the window period. Because this new screening procedure theoretically covers the entire period of infectivity, the necessity for maintaining serologic assays in blood screening strategy could become questionable.

Prévention du risque bactérien : inactivation des pathogènes/détection des bactéries

Bacterial contamination of blood products remains the most important infectious risk of blood transfusion in 2013. Platelet concentrates (PC) are in cause in the majority of the transfusion reaction due to bacterial contaminations. A lot of prevention methods have been developed over the last 10 years (pre-donation interview, skin decontamination, diversion of the first 30 mL of the donation, leuko-reduction...), they have focused on limiting the contamination of the donations and prevent the bacterial growth in donations and/or in the blood products. These measures were effective and led to significantly reducing the risk of adverse effects associated with bacterial growth. However, every year there are about six accidents (with a high level of imputability) and one death. The reduction of the bacterial risk remains a priority for the French Blood Establishment (EFS). The procedure for skin disinfection is going to be improved in order to further strengthen this crucial step to avoid the contamination of donation. Methods of pathogen inactivation applied to plasma and PC are available in France and their effectiveness is demonstrated on the bacterial risk. Methods for bacterial detection of PC are used in many countries now. Automated culture is the most common. Alternatives are now available in the form of rapid tests able to analyze the PC just before the delivery and avoid false negatives observed with automated culture. Assessments are under way to confirm these benefits in 2013.

Séance éducationnellePrévention du risque bactérien : inactivation des pathogènes/détection des bactériesPrevention of bacterial risk: Pathogen inactivation/detection of bacteria

Bacterial contamination of blood products remains the most important infectious risk of blood transfusion in 2013. Platelet concentrates (PC) are in cause in the majority of the transfusion reaction due to bacterial contaminations. A lot of prevention methods have been developed over the last 10 years (pre-donation interview, skin decontamination, diversion of the first 30 mL of the donation, leuko-reduction...), they have focused on limiting the contamination of the donations and prevent the bacterial growth in donations and/or in the blood products. These measures were effective and led to significantly reducing the risk of adverse effects associated with bacterial growth. However, every year there are about six accidents (with a high level of imputability) and one death. The reduction of the bacterial risk remains a priority for the French Blood Establishment (EFS). The procedure for skin disinfection is going to be improved in order to further strengthen this crucial step to avoid the contamination of donation. Methods of pathogen inactivation applied to plasma and PC are available in France and their effectiveness is demonstrated on the bacterial risk. Methods for bacterial detection of PC are used in many countries now. Automated culture is the most common. Alternatives are now available in the form of rapid tests able to analyze the PC just before the delivery and avoid false negatives observed with automated culture. Assessments are under way to confirm these benefits in 2013.