Single Test for HIV, HBV, HCV in Donor Blood

A new single nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) that could simultaneously detect HIV-1, the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and/or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in donated blood was introduced at the annual meeting of the American Association of Blood Banks in San Antonio (TX, USA).

The test, called the Triplex Assay, utilizes the transcription mediated amplification (TMA) technology of Gen-Probe Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA) to amplify and detect three viral targets—including one DNA and two RNA viruses—without compromising the sensitivity for any single target. The assay is being co-developed by Gen-Probe and Chiron Corp (Emeryville, CA, USA).
A study conducted by a contract research company in collaboration with researchers at prominent medical centers found that the addition of minipool nucleic acid testing (MP NAT) for HIV-1, HBV, and HCV to current screening techniques was cost-effective compared to other preventive interventions and the need for a zero tolerance level for infections from blood donations.

"These studies show potential feasibility that not only can we screen for three of the most common—and potentially devastating—bloodborne viruses in a single test, but that it may be possible to achieve this incremental measure of safety without sacrificing sensitivity or specificity, the two cornerstones of any successful test,” said Larry Mimms, vice president of development at Gen-Probe.




Related Links:
Gen-Probe
Chiron