DETECTION OF HCV-RNA IN THE BLOOD-DONOR POPULATION OF YORKSHIRE

The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and specific polym erase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of hepatitis C virus-ribo nucleic acid (HCV-RNA) in the plasma of blood donors who attend the Yo rkshire Regional Transfusion Centre. These donors had previously had a positive or indeterminate recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) result. For increased sensitivity of reaction and greater specificity of prod uct, a 'nested-primer' PCR was used. One hundred and ninety-two sample s were examined, of which 18 were RIBA-positive and HCV-RNA was detect ed in 15 (83%) of them. Of the 174 RIBA indeterminates only one (0.6%) had detectable HCV-RNA. The rate of HCV-RNA detection in fresh and ar chive samples was compared and found to be greater with the fresh samp les.