Abstract | BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to assess the diagnostic sensitivity of neopterin screening of blood donors with regard to the detection of window-phase specimens of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RESULTS: A significant association between elevated neopterin concentrations and the very early phase of HIV-1 infection was found. No significant correlation could be observed between neopterin levels and the early phase of HCV or HBV infection. Neopterin concentration was not increased in specimens from blood donors with anti-HBc reactivity or ALT elevation. CONCLUSIONS:
Neopterin screening of blood donors may identify window-phase cases of HIV, but not of HCV or HBV infection. The diagnostic sensitivity of neopterin screening during the HIV window phase is similar to that of the p24 antigen test. With the introduction of viral NATs in blood screening, there is no additional benefit of neopterin screening with regard to the three blood-borne viruses HIV, HCV, and HBV. Acute phases of other infectious agents, however, have been reported to be detected by neopterin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
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Authors | C Micha Nübling, Michael Chudy, Peter Volkers, Johannes Löwer |
Journal | Transfusion
(Transfusion)
Vol. 46
Issue 11
Pg. 1886-91
(Nov 2006)
ISSN: 0041-1132 [Print] United States |
PMID | 17076842
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- DNA, Viral
- HIV Core Protein p24
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens
- RNA, Viral
- Neopterin
- Alanine Transaminase
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Topics |
- Alanine Transaminase
(blood)
- Blood Donors
- DNA, Viral
(blood)
- Donor Selection
(methods)
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
(methods)
- Evaluation Studies as Topic
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- HIV Core Protein p24
(blood, genetics)
- HIV Infections
(blood, genetics)
- HIV-1
(genetics)
- Hepacivirus
(genetics)
- Hepatitis B
(blood, genetics)
- Hepatitis B Core Antigens
(blood)
- Hepatitis B virus
(genetics)
- Hepatitis C
(blood, genetics)
- Humans
- Male
- Neopterin
(blood)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
(methods)
- RNA, Viral
(blood)
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Time Factors
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