Application of transcription mediated amplification( TMA) technique in large scale voluntary blood donor screening

Objective To research and investigate the effect of applying the viral nucleic acid test( NAT) on the safety of blood transfusion in large scale. Methods Voluntary donors' blood samples were tested with TMA technique by detecting HBV DNA, HCV RNA,HIV1 RNA nucleic acid. The samples were test with ELISA at the same,by detecting HIV / HBV / HCV antigen or antibody. Results 208 viral nucleic acid positive samples were detected out of 54 744 donors' blood samples and the positive rate was 0. 38%. ELISA negative,NAT positive samples were further tested with discrimination assays. 45 samples were confirmed as HBV DNA positive, none as HCV RNA positive and 1 as HIV1 RNA positive. Conclusion TMA can efficiently shorten the window period of HIV,HBV and HCV infection in blood screening in large scale,therefore significantly decrease the potential risks of blood transfusion.