Journal of virological methods
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Nationwide nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) of blood donated voluntarily after serological screening was implemented on July 1st 1999 for transfusion and plasma fractionation by the Japanese Red Cross blood transfusion services. From February 1st 2000, HBV, HCV and HIV-1 NAT screening of pools of 50 negative serologically screened donated blood was started and the results were reported within 1 day after blood donation. Systems were established for rapid shipment, electronic communication, automated specimen preparation, pooling and automated amplification and detection. ⋯ The NAT system was developed from serological screening test negative non-remunerated voluntary donations. We supply blood products to medical organizations after screening by NAT for HBV, HCV and HIV-1 for transfusion and source plasma for fractionation. This is the first automated integrated system for prevention of transfusion transmitted HBV, HCV and HIV-1 infections, by NAT screening.
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Comparative Study
Diagnostic rapid tests for acute hantavirus infections: specific tests for Hantaan, Dobrava and Puumala viruses versus a hantavirus combination test.
Hantaviruses infecting humans in Eurasia include Hantaan, Seoul, Puumala and the closely related Dobrava and Saaremaa viruses. These viruses are causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which is recognized as a severe health care problem in several countries. Diagnostics of hantavirus infections relies on serology, performed principally with enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or immunofluorescence assay (IFA). ⋯ According to the results, the performance of these tests meets well the requirements for diagnostic use. Nevertheless, the specific one-antigen tests were markedly more sensitive than the combination test. However, if optimized, a combination test would be suitable for regions where several hantaviruses circulate.
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Human enteroviruses and rhinoviruses are respiratory pathogens whose role in acute respiratory infection is underestimated due to the use of diagnostic procedures with poor sensitivity. To determine the prevalence of these two pathogens in the upper respiratory tract infections, a multiplex procedure was developed that both detect and differentiate rhinoviruses and enteroviruses. This sensitive procedure allowed the detection of both pathogens from archival material (nasal swabs) collected during the previous winters and differentiated rhinoviruses from enteroviruses. This procedure can be used to determine the role of these pathogens in mild or severe upper respiratory tract infections.
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An RT-PCR-hybridization was developed that amplified genetic material from the M protein gene of HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43. The analytic sensitivity of these original primers were compared with primers defined in the N gene and described previously. ⋯ Detection of HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 in clinical specimens is possible using this method: 348 respiratory specimens (202 sputum and 146 nasal aspirates) were tested with this RT-PCR-hybridization and 12 human coronavirus are detected (3%). The method could provide a useful tool for demonstrating the role of human coronavirus in infections of the respiratory tract.