HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-RNA TESTING BY NESTED PCR IN BLOOD PREPARATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA

Patients receiving any kind of human blood preparations are in permane nt danger of any infection including hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Test ing for the presence of HCV in blood preparations is one of the steps towards safe medical treatment, One of the approaches for this testing is a detection of HCV nucleic acid. In this paper we describe a simpl e method for isolation of HCV RNA from blood preparations and control of HCV RNA presence in 19 intravenous and intramuscular products, manu factured in the National Blood Transfusion Institute in Belgrade. RT-P CR was performed according the rules saving RNA. Primers were located in 5' conserved region. Seven out of 19 batches of gamma-globulin, alb umin, anti-tetanus and anti-rabies immunoglobulin preparations were fo und to be HCV RNA positive. For the time being, the PCR method is too expensive for routine HCV RNA testing of hundreds of;blood donors per day. Serological screening test of blood donors and nested PCR testing for HCV RNA. in blood preparations could be an efficient combination of tests in prevention of posttransfusion hepatitis C. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.