Evaluation of the Roche cobas s 201 system and cobas TaqScreen multiplex test for blood screening: a European multicenter study.

Background: The Roche cobas TaqScreen test, an automated, multiplex nucleic acid test for blood screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) groups M and O, and HIV-2 RNA, on the cobas s 201 platform, was evaluated by six European blood screening laboratories.

Study Design And Methods: The 95 percent limit of detection (LOD) of the cobas TaqScreen test for HBV, HCV, and HIV-1, using dilutions of the WHO International Standards, were evaluated. The clinical performance was determined by testing between 2000 to 6000 routine donor samples.

Clinical and laboratory study of an episode of cefotetan-induced severe hemolytic anemia.

Background: Cephalosporins are frequently associated with positive direct antiglobulin tests (DAT) and may rarely cause immune hemolytic anemia (IHA). We describe a patient who developed hemolytic anemia while she was receiving intravenous cefotetan.

Study Design And Methods: Immunohematologic studies of drug-dependent antibodies were performed by using cefotetan-treated red blood cells (RBCs) and untreated RBCs in the presence of cefotetan.

Detection of an early HIV-1 infection by HIV RNA testing in an Italian blood donor during the preseroconversion window period.

Background: The implementation of NAT technologies for HIV screening has further reduced the diagnostic window in recent HIV infection. There is still a debate regarding the cost effectiveness of genomic screening of blood donations for transfusion-transmitted viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV).

Study Design And Methods: Since October 2001, at the Transfusion Service of Verona, single-donation NAT testing for HCV and HIV-1 (Procleix TMA HIV-1/HCV Assay) of all blood donations has been performed.