Hepatitis C virus prevalence and clearance among US blood donors, 2006-2007: associations with birth cohort, multiple pregnancies, and body mass index.

Background: During the period 1992-1993, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (anti-HCV) among US blood donors was 0.36%, but contemporary data on the prevalence of antibody to HCV and the prevalence of HCV RNA are lacking.

Methods: We performed a large, cross-sectional study of blood donors at 6 US blood centers during 2006-2007.

The potential impact of selective donor deferrals based on estimated blood volume on vasovagal reactions and donor deferral rates.

Background: Whole blood donation in the United States is restricted in volume to 10.5 mL/kg or less in an effort to prevent hypovolemic reactions, but still may exceed more than 15% of a donor's estimated blood volume (EBV). We analyzed the association of EBV with prefaint and systemic vasovagal reactions (SVRs) among whole blood donors and the potential impact of an EBV-based deferral policy.

Factors influencing donor return.

Background: To predict future blood donation behavior and improve donor retention, it is important to understand the determinants of donor return.

Study Design And Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was completed in 2003 by 7905 current donors. With data mining methods, all factors measured by the survey were ranked as possible predictors of actual return within 12 months.

role of altruistic behavior, empathetic concern, and social responsibility motivation in blood donation behavior.

Background: Blood donation can be described as a prosocial behavior, and donors often cite prosocial reasons such as altruism, empathy, or social responsibility for their willingness to donate. Previous studies have not quantitatively evaluated these characteristics in donors or examined how they relate to donation frequency.

Study Design And Methods: As part of a donor motivation study, 12,064 current and lapsed donors answered questions used to create an altruistic behavior, empathetic concern, and social responsibility motivation score for each donor.

Determinants of return behavior: a comparison of current and lapsed donors.

Background: There is a need to identify factors explaining why some people stop donating blood.

Study Design And Methods: A random mail survey of first-time (FT) and repeat (RPT) current (donating within 6 months before survey) and lapsed (donating >2 years prior) donors was conducted. The self-administered questionnaire included questions on personal, social, and behavioral characteristics.

Factors influencing the decision to donate: racial and ethnic comparisons.

Background: Understanding factors that encourage different racial and ethnic groups to donate is crucial for donor recruitment and retention.

Study Design And Methods: A 28-item self-administered questionnaire was completed in 2003 by 1862 Asian, 1479 black, 1641 Hispanic, and 2940 White US donors who had given whole blood within the past year. With a 1 to 5 scale, donors were asked to rate the importance of 17 factors in their last donation decision.

Convenience, the bane of our existence, and other barriers to donating.

Background: To prevent donor loss and improve retention, it is important to understand the major deterrents to blood donation and to identify factors that can be effectively addressed by blood centers.

Study Design And Methods: A 30-item self-administered questionnaire was completed in 2003 by 1705 first-time and 2437 repeat US donors who had not donated in 2 to 3 years. Asian, Hispanic, black, and white first-time and repeat donors rated the importance of deterrents to donation in their decision to not return with a 1 to 5 scale.

Relative sensitivities of licensed nucleic acid amplification tests for detection of viremia in early human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: Screening donors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is primarily performed on minipools (MPs) with one of two commercial nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT; Roche Molecular Systems; or Gen-Probe/Chiron). We compared these assays with respect to detection of RNA in early HIV and HCV infection.

Study Design And Methods: Twelve HIV plasma donor panels (116 serial samples) and 12 HCV panels (180 serial samples) were selected to optimally represent early viremia.

Dynamics of viremia in early hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: It is important to characterize viral dynamics in early hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to further our understanding of viral pathogenesis and the potential for secondary transmission in acute infection through blood transfusion or other routes.

Study Design And Methods: Serial units given by 77 source plasma donors who had evolved from HCV RNA-negative to HCV RNA-positive by nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) screening with 512-unit pool-NAT or were followed from RNA detection to antibody conversion were tested by individual NAT and quantitative RNA assays.

Results: During the ramp-up phase when exponential growth occurs, HCV viral load doubled every 10.

Mammalian brain consumption by blood donors in the United States: brains today, deferred tomorrow?

Background: Theoretical concerns of possible variant CJD (vCJD) transmission by transfusion have led to deferral of US donors potentially exposed to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent. Although the efficacy of these policies is unknown, impact on blood collections has been substantial. Under the precautionary principle, deferral of donors consuming bovine (or other mam-malian) brains, possibly contaminated with the vCJD agent, might be considered.

Effect of a national disaster on blood supply and safety: the September 11 experience.

Context: An understanding of characteristics of blood donors donating in times of crisis may help predict blood supply safety and donor return patterns.

Objectives: To characterize the volume of donations and prevalence of infectious disease markers in blood donated by US donors responding to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and to evaluate return rates in those who donated for the first time.

Design: Cross-sectional survey data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study for 4 weeks before and 4 weeks starting with September 11, 2001, and the corresponding 8-week period in 2000.

Lapsed donors: an untapped resource.

Background: There is a clear need for methods to recruit and retain donors without compromising blood safety. Although prior studies report lower viral prevalence rates in repeat donors than those in first-time donors, it is unknown if this relationship holds after a lapse of several years between donations.

Study Design And Methods: A total of 6.

HIV seroconverting donors delay their return: screening test implications.

Background: The yield of HIV p24 antigen testing implemented in March 1996 has been lower than projected. One possible explanation is that HIV seroconverting donors delay their return because of the recent practice of risk behaviors and/or signs and symptoms associated with primary infection.

Study Design And Methods: From a database of 6.