An international survey on measures to prevent transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases-study results 2: Testing and donor vigilance.

Background and objectives: The results of a global survey on blood safety measures to prevent transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases (TTIDs) were analysed, focusing on TTID testing requirements, practices and associated donor actions (vigilance).

Materials and methods: Responses by country/region (C/R) were categorized by World Bank income (WBI) levels: low- and lower middle-income (LLMI), upper middle-income (UMI) and high-income (HI). Consensus responses were used for C/Rs with multiple survey responses. Regions within China and India were analysed separately. Survey questions on TTID testing and donor vigilance were compared across WBI levels.

Results: Responses from 74 C/Rs representing 65 countries and Hong Kong were analysed. All C/Rs reported mandatory human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, with a few exceptions for syphilis. Most testing standards were set by national law, using antibody and/or antigen testing for HIV, HBV and HCV; antibody testing was common for syphilis. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) was less common in LLMI than in UMI and HI C/Rs. Confirmatory testing was reported by almost all (96%) C/Rs, often using the same screening test. All C/Rs provided educational material to donors, and deferred/notified donors based on reactive/positive TTID results. Most C/Rs reported reactive/positive results to a central entity, and 89% withdrew and destroyed in-date units from previous collections.

Conclusion: All reporting C/Rs screened for HIV, HBV and HCV, with most using confirmatory testing. Advanced tests such as NAT were less common in LLMI C/Rs. Donor vigilance was consistent across income groups, with education, notification and deferral for TTID results, and most reporting withdrawal/destruction of previous collections.