Management of blood donors whose donations are repeatedly falsely positive by the HIV antibody screening test. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Management of blood donors whose donations are repeatedly falsely positive by the HIV antibody screening test.

J Clin Pathol. 1995 Sep;48(9):865-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96096278
Atrah HI; Parry JV; Gough D; Tosswill J; Ala FA; West Midlands Regional Blood Transfusion Service, Edgbaston,; Birmingham.

Abstract: Since 1985, over 1,800,000 donations have been screened by the West Midlands Regional Blood Transfusion Service for antibody to HIV. Twelve regular donors gave three or more donations that were alternatingly positive and negative in the screening test, but not confirmed to be HIV positive by supplementary testing. Extensive investigation of six of these donors, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), failed to confirm HIV infection. The donors were reassured but, nevertheless, retired to comply with the guidelines of the National Blood Transfusion Service. These findings indicate that, for UK donors, ambiguous serological findings are unlikely to reflect HIV infection. On the rare occasions where serological results are particularly ambiguous, PCR testing of donors' blood may be helpful.
Keywords: Adult *AIDS Serodiagnosis *Blood Donors False Positive Reactions Female Human HIV Seropositivity/*DIAGNOSIS Male *Mass Screening Middle Age Polymerase Chain Reaction JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDadultKWDaidsserodiagnosisKWDblooddonorsfalsepositivereactionsfemalehumanhivseropositivity/KWDdiagnosismaleKWDmassscreeningmiddleagepolymerasechainreactionjournalarticle
960330
M9630690

Copyright © 1996 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1996. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .