An international review of the characteristics of viral nucleic acid‐amplification testing (NAT) reveals a trend towards the use of smaller pool sizes and individual donation NAT

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesNucleic acid‐amplification testing (NAT) is used for screening blood donations/donors for blood‐borne viruses. We reviewed global viral NAT characteristics and NAT‐yield confirmatory testing used by blood operators.Materials and MethodsNAT characteristics and NAT‐yield confirmatory testing used during 2019 was surveyed internationally by the International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party Transfusion‐Transmitted Infectious Diseases. Reported characteristics are presented herein.ResultsNAT was mainly performed under government mandate. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) NAT was performed on all donors and donation types, while selective testing was reported for West Nile virus, hepatitis E virus (HEV), and Zika virus. Individual donation NAT was used for HIV, HCV and HBV by ~50% of responders, while HEV was screened in mini‐pools by 83% of responders performing HEV NAT. Confirmatory testing for NAT‐yield samples was generally performed by NAT on a sample from the same donation or by NAT and serology on samples from the same donation and a follow‐up sample.ConclusionIn the last decade, there has been a trend towards use of smaller pool sizes or individual donation NAT. We captured characteristics of NAT internationally in 2019 and provide insights into confirmatory testing approaches used for NAT‐yields, potentially benefitting blood operators seeking to implement NAT.