The Brazilian experience of nucleic acid testing to detect human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus infections in blood donors

Abstract

The Brazilian NAT HIV, HCV, and HBV kit is an automated NAT system suitable for routine blood donor screening in a completely traceable process. The analytical sensitivity as well as the diagnostic sensitivity fulfilled all requirements set by the health ministry for blood donor screening. A significant number of transmission cases were prevented by the implementation of this important program.