Safe Blood Supply

Infectious Disease Tests Currently Performed by Blood Bank of Delmarva

1. HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen)

The HBsAg test is used to detect Hepatitis B virus in donor blood.  Hepatitis B infection causes inflammation of the liver.  The virus is spread through contact with infected blood and body fluids.

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health

2. Anti-HIV-1/2 (Antibody to Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Type 1&2)
The HIV-1 and HIV-2 virus cause AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).  AIDS is a disease, which attacks the body’s immune system and its ability to fight infection.  The HIV virus is spread through contact with infected blood and body fluids.  HIV-2 is mainly found in people who have lived in West African countries.

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

3. Anti-HBc (Antibody to Hepatitis B Core Antigen)
This antibody is produced by your body after exposure to the Hepatitis B virus and remains after the infection has been resolved.

4. Anti-HTLV-I/II (Antibody to Human T Lymphotropic Virus-Type I&II)
The HTLV-I virus is more commonly found in people in Japan and the Caribbean.  It can cause a rare type of leukemia or a neurological disease.  Less than 5% of those who have been exposed to the virus develop any disease.  HTLV-II is a related virus and is more commonly found in Native Americans in North and South America and in intravenous drug abuser populations.

5. Anti-HCV (Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus)
This test is used to detect Hepatitis C antibodies in donor blood.  This type of hepatitis also causes an inflammation of the liver, which can result in liver damage and persistent infection. 

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

6. STS (Serological Test for Syphilis)
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, which can cause serious health problems if it is not treated.

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

7. Anti-CMV (Antibody for Cytomegalovirus)
CMV is a virus that is harmful to people with suppressed immune systems, such as low-birth-weight premature infants and organ transplant recipients.  40-70% of healthy blood donors in the US have had a CMV infection.  BBD tests a portion of donations each day to maintain an inventory of Anti-CMV negative blood for the patients that require it.

8. HCV NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing for Hepatitis C)
An advanced testing method used to detect the presence of Hepatitis C virus in a donor’s blood before conventional blood screening tests can detect the virus.

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

9. HIV-1 NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing for HIV)
An advanced testing method used to detect the presence of HIV-1 virus in a donor’s blood before conventional blood screening tests can detect the virus.

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

10.  WNV NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing for West Nile Virus)
An advanced testing method used to detect the presence of West Nile Virus in a donor’s blood.  It is the only test currently available to screen a donor’s blood for this virus. 

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

11. T. cruzi (Screening test for Chagas Disease)
Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) is the blood parasite that causes Chagas Disease.  The disease is endemic to most countries in Central and South America, as well as Mexico.  The screening test will be used to screen blood donations for the presence of antibodies after an exposure to T. cruzi. 

*Confirmed positive results are reported to the State Division of Public Health.

Questions regarding this information should be referred to a donor advocate at (302) 737-8400 or (800) 533-6957.


Health Screens

These parameters are measured prior to each donation. Hemoglobin and blood pressure measurements are recorded on the receipt of donation/deferral that each donor takes with them.

Hemoglobin:

Hemoglobin of at least 12.5 g/dl is required for blood donation. This health screen is intended to prevent collecting blood from someone with anemia. The maximum allowable hemoglobin at BBD is 18.3 g/dl.

Blood Pressure:

Blood pressure readings consist of two values, the systolic and the diastolic readings. To be accepted for blood donation, a donor’s systolic reading must be 90-180 mmHg and their diastolic reading must be 50-100 mmHg.

Pulse:

An acceptable pulse rate for a blood donor is 50-100 beats per minute. There should be no pathologic irregularities. Athletic individuals with a high exercise tolerance may be acceptable with a pulse as low as 45 beats per minute.

Platelet Count (plateletpheresis donors only):

Plateletpheresis donors must have a platelet count of 150,000-450,000 /µL.