Prevalence and trends of markers of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human Immunodeficiency virus in Argentine blood donors.

Background: Transfusion-transmitted infections are a major problem associated with blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and trends of HBV, HCV and HIV in blood donors in Argentina.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in blood donors of 27 transfusion centers covering the whole country over a period of eight years (2004-2011).

Evaluation of five screening tests licensed in Argentina for detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies.

This study was conducted to compare among the most recent generation of five screening tests licensed in Argentina, in order to evaluate which of the tests has the best sensitivity for detection of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV). The tests analyzed were: Detect-HCV (3.0) Biochem ImmunoSystems, Canada; Hepatitis C EIA Wiener Lab.

[Screening of HIV in blood banks. Evaluation of fourth generation kits].

Use of detection tests for p24 HIV antigen (p24Ag) in blood banks in Argentina is recommended by the Argentinean Society of Hemotherapy and Immunohematology. In the blood bank of the National University of Cordoba (Argentina), the recent implementation of the p24Ag screening test has considerably increased the cost of the battery of screening tests and its use in all blood donations has not produced the benefits expected. A 4th generation EIA was evaluated for the screening of HIV in comparison with the currently used assays in the blood bank of National University of Cordoba (3rd generation EIA + p24Ag assay).