Applying RT-PCR standard detection procedures of HBV and HCV in Wasit blood bank

Background: Blood and blood products are a unique and precious resource because they can be obtained only from individuals who donate blood or its components. Aim of the study: To increase the safety of blood given to patients by evaluating the addition of new investigations to detect HBV and HCV of donated blood in the blood bank. Patients and Methods: this study included 150 samples of blood taken from the blood bags of donors from the blood bank /Wasit Province. In this study used ELISA (as serological method) & RT-PCR (as molecular method) to detect infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Results: The results of ELISA test, from 150 analyzed samples, only 6/150 (4.0%) of the patients were diagnosed infection by HCV and 1/150 (0.6%) infection by HBV. The results of PCR test, (4.0%) and (5.3%) for HCV C and HBV respectively. Conclusion:  Diagnosis of hepatitis virus (B, C) by ELISA is still sufficient

Reconsiderations with basic viral tests in Wasit blood bank: CMV and EBV as an examples

Background: Blood donation is a procedure of collecting blood from a screened person who must follow the strict guidelines in the country where peoples lived. Aim of the study: To increase the safety of blood given to patients by evaluating the addition of new investigations to detect CMV and EBV infection of donated blood in the blood bank in Wasit Governorate. Patients and Methods: This study included 150 samples of blood taken from blood bags of donors from blood bank /Wasit Province. In this study used ELISA used only for detect infection with CMV and Real-Time PCR were used to detect infections with CMV and EBV. Results: The results of ELISA from 150 analyzed samples only 30/150 (20%) of the patients were diagnosed infection by CMV. While the results of RT-PCR 50/150 (33.3%) for the same virus, and the results of RT-PCR 13/150 (8.7%) for EBV. Conclusion: The guideline of blood and blood product donation should be reviewed to keep up the updated guideline of WHO to provide more suitable medical services to community