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OBJECTIVES: To analyse information about virological testing of cadaveric tissue donors, including the kits used and the rates of test reactivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data were collected using a standardised questionnaire sent to 16 tissue banks in the UK. The rates of repeat reactive screen tests and confirmed positive results for the markers HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV were analysed in 1,833 cadaver tissue donors tested at 12 tissue banks over one year up to March 1998. RESULTS: There was a wide range of kits in use for virological screen testing of cadaver donors. The rates of repeat reactivity in the screen tests varied from 0 to 42%. CONCLUSION: The findings have implications for policies based on discard of tissues from donors with repeat reactive results, and raise important safety issues with regards to cadaveric virological testing, as the test systems in use have not been validated for cadaver blood samples.

Original publication

DOI

10.1159/000056735

Type

Journal article

Journal

Vox Sang

Publication Date

2000

Volume

79

Pages

227 - 230

Keywords

Cadaver, Data Collection, False Positive Reactions, HIV Antibodies, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, Hepatitis C Antibodies, Humans, Immunologic Tests, Mass Screening, Reagent Kits, Diagnostic, Retrospective Studies, Tissue Banks, Tissue Donors, United Kingdom