Brazil enforces NAT (nucleic acid testing) for HCV (human immunodeficiency virus) and HIV
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Brazilian haematology centres are to use nucleic acid testing to screen all donated blood for the C-strain of the hepatitis virus (HCV) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The measure, enforced under a decree signed by health minister Jose Serra on February 5, was announced during the launch of a national hepatitis control programme. The use of nucleic acid testing is at the centre of the Brazilian health authorities' plans to improve the detection of hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS during the blood-screening process, and so reduce the high incidence of these diseases due to cross-infection through transfusion.