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World J Gastroenterol. Mar 21, 2014; 20(11): 2948-2954
Published online Mar 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i11.2948
Current testing strategies for hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors and the way forward
Neelam Marwaha, Suchet Sachdev
Neelam Marwaha, Suchet Sachdev, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India
Author contributions: Marwaha N planned the review article, wrote the article; Sachdev S crosschecked and took out all the references and proofed the article; Marwaha N and Sachdev S both approved the article before final submission.
Correspondence to: Neelam Marwaha, Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012, India. neelam2918@yahoo.com
Telephone: +91-172-2756481 Fax: +91-172-2744401
Received: September 27, 2013
Revised: December 23, 2013
Accepted: February 20, 2014
Published online: March 21, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: This is a review article on development and current status of screening tests for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donors. The sensitivity of HCV antibody assays, HCV core antigen assays and combination assays are discussed. Effect of nucleic acid amplification technology implementation of blood safety is highlighted. Future prospects for developed countries and resource constrained countries are presented.