This audioconference will review the current status of testing for blood-borne pathogens with an emphasis on the utility of nucleic acid testing (NAT) for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and a discussion of the current status of testing for bacterial contamination of platelets. Donor testing for HBV by one or multiple analytes has been in place since the early 1970s; however, published residual risk estimates for this virus are considerably higher than those of HIV and HCV. Recent experience with HBV NAT has confirmed the value of both anti-HBc testing and HBV NAT in assuring blood safety, and allowed newer models to emerge demonstrating comparable residual risks for all three viruses. In addition, the implementation of HBV NAT has shown that testing for HBsAg may no longer be necessary. In the other portion of this program, a discussion of the current recommendations for bacterial testing of platelets will be presented. The utility of this information for both hospitals and blood centers will be reviewed.

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