Separating Into Components

The collected blood is separated into different components:

Although the blood supply comes from volunteer donors, a number of costs are involved in running a modern-day non-profit blood center. Testing, processing, and distribution procedures are technically demanding and require the skills of highly trained personnel and the use of specialized equipment.

There is no charge for blood, the processing fee for blood components transfused are covered by most health insurance plans.

The Community Blood Council of New Jersey, Inc., is committed to ensure a safe blood supply for everyone who may need transfusions. Each unit collected is tested for ABO group (blood type) and Rh Type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems in the recipient. Screening tests are also performed for evidence of donor infection with the following:

• HIV-1 and HIV-2 Antibody (Anti-HIV-1 and Anti HIV-2)
• HTLV-I/II Antibody (Anti-HTLV-I and Anti HTLV-II)
• Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (Anti-HCV)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)
• Hepatitis B Core Surface Antibody (Anti-HBc)
• Serologic test for syphilis (RPR)
• Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) HIV and HCV test for the genetic material of these two viruses using Nucleic Acid Techniques.

All of these tests are performed in our laboratory using approved methods except the NAT test, which is sent out to a - approved reference laboratory. Our lab is also inspected and accredited by the American Associations of Blood Banks, the College of American Pathologists, The New Jersey State Department of Health and other inspection agencies, in addition to Food & Drug Administration registration and licensure.

The above-mentioned tests are considered screening tests. Because of their sensitivity, some donors may have false positive results. All reactive screening tests are sent out for more specific tests called confirmatory tests that will help determine whether a donor is truly infected.

All units are discarded when any test result shows any abnormalities.

When donors meet the regulatory criteria for deferral, they are sent a letter to contact the Quality Assurance Director and the Medical Director. They are placed in a donor deferral list and prohibited from donating blood.

Remember that all test results from donated blood are kept in strictest confidence and are not in your medical record unless you request they be put there. We recommend that anyone who has a reactive test result to see their doctor, just to make sure they get treatment.

TESTING a unit of blood for infectious diseases:

Anti-HIV 1-2 (Antibodies to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
This is the screening test for antibodies to the virus that causes AIDS. It can also detect antibodies directed against antigens of the HIV-1 or HIV-2 viruses. This screening test was introduced to Blood Banks in 1985. All positive screening tests are sent out to a reference lab for confirmation. The confirmatory test is the Western Blot, which may be positive, negative or indeterminate. All donors with a positive screening test are immediately deferred, permanently, and are not eligible for re-entry. Confirmed positives are advised to seek further evaluation and treatment through their physician.

Antibodies to human T-Lymphotropic Virus, Types I and II (Anti HTLV I/II).
The human T-cell lymphotropic viruses are rare in the United States and positive tests are rarely confirmed. HTLV-I is more common in Japan and the Carribean and has been associated with a rare form of leukemia and a nerve disorder that causes spasticity. HTLV-II are usually associated with intravenous drug users. In most cases, however, the confirmatory test, the Western Blot, is negative or indeterminate.

Antibodies to the Hepatitis C Virus (Anti-HCV)
This is the screening test for antibodies to the Hepatitis C Virus. Positives are confirmed by Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA) which may turn out positive, negative or interdeterminant. HCV causes inflammation of the liver. Most people who have been exposed to the virus may develop chronic infection and some cirrhosis of the liver. Donors with a positive Anti-HCV are permanently deferred, regardless of confirmatory test results.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)
The Hepatitis B can cause inflammation of the liver. A positive screening test result is confirmed by a neutralization procedure. Everyone infected with Hepatitis B develop HBsAg, most recover completely and test negative for HBsAg over time. Some people, however, become chronic carriers of the virus and remain HBsAg positive. They also can develop severe liver disease. These people can transmit the virus through their blood. Anyone positive for HBsAg is permanently deferred as a blood donor and advised to seek treatment through their physician.

Antibodies to the Hepatitis B Core (Anti-HBc)
This test detects an antibody to the Hepatitis B Virus that is produced during and after infection. It is a useful test for confirming previous exposure to Hepatitis B. This is the only required test that has no confirmatory test. All positive units for Anti-HBc are discarded and donors placed on surveillance.

Serologic test for syphilis (RPR)
The AS1 RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) for syphilis is a qualitative and semi-quantitative Non Treponemal Flocculation test for the detection of reagin antibodies in Human Serum and Plasma. Unfortunately, it is often falsely positive, which means it is reactive but the person does not have syphilis. Blood that is RPR reactive cannot be used for transfusion. The FTA (Fluorescent Treponemal Antigen) is the confirmatory test that we use for a positive RPR. We recommend that anyone who has a reactive FTA to see their physician.

Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT)
NAT Testing became available in the early 1999 to detect the genetic material of viruses like HIV and HCV. NAT improved the safety of the blood supply by reducing the window period during which an infecting agent is undetectable by traditional tests. All units are sent out to a reference lab for the NAT HIV and HCV.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Capture CMV is an In-Vitro qualitative solid phase red cell adherence test system for the detection of antibodies (IgG and IgM) to cytomegalovirus in human serum or plasma. Cytomegalovirus is a common human viral pathogen which belongs to the family of the herpes virus. The presence of CMV antibodies in an individual indicates prior infection by the virus. Immuno-compromised patients, such as premature neonates, organ transplant patients and oncology patients are at greater risk of developing more severe manifestations of CMV infections.