Zika virus RNA polymerase chain reaction on the utility channel of a commercial nucleic acid testing system.

Background: Several countries have implemented safety strategies to reduce the risk of Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission through blood transfusion. These strategies have included nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) of blood donations. In this study, a new real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay including internal control for the detection of ZIKV on the cobas omni Utility Channel (UC) on the cobas 6800 system is presented.

Novel alleles at the Kell blood group locus that lead to Kell variant phenotype in the Dutch population.

Background: Alloantibodies directed against antigens of the Kell blood group system are clinically significant. In the Netherlands, the KEL1 antigen is determined in all blood donors. In this study, after phenotyping of KEL:1-positive donors, genotyping analysis was conducted in KEL:1,-2 donors to identify possible KEL*02 variant alleles.