Detection of HCV-RNA in the blood donor population of Yorkshire.

The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid (HCV-RNA) in the plasma of blood donors who attend the Yorkshire 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 product, a 'nested-primer' PCR was used. One hundred and ninety-two samples were examined, of which 18 were RIBA-positive and HCV-RNA was detected 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 archive samples was compared and found to be greater with the fresh samples.