(P-BC-26) Donor Re-Entry Following Deferral for False Reactive Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1/2, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Syphilis, and Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus-1/2 Is Effective.

Our blood operation has a donor re-entry (DRE) program in place for unconfirmed human transmissible disease serology tests (immunodeficiency virus-1/2 [HIV-1/2], hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis C virus [HCV], syphilis and human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1/2 [HTLV-1/2]) and false positive nucleic acid tests (NAT) (HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV). There is no donor re-entry process for anti-hepatitis B Core total (anti-HBc total). Implemented in 2014 (HIV, HBV and HCV) and updated in 2023 to include syphilis and HTLV-1/2, this program allows donors a single opportunity to be re-tested with a specimens-only donation after a 6-month deferral period. Donors who are negative for all routinely screened transmissible disease (TD) markers are eligible to return to donate blood products.

In early February 2023, an enhanced donor notification process was initiated. 

The objective of this study is to evaluate the yield of re-entered donors for all targets and identify areas for improving program yield.   

Study

Design/Methods: Donor data were stored in an ePROGESA database (Mak-System, Brussels, Belgium).  Re-entry data were collected for the period February 3, 2014-December 31, 2023. Temporary deferral codes, re-entry codes and laboratory results for donors were identified. Data analysis used GraphPad Prism 9.5.0 (GraphPad Software, Boston, MA, USA).

Results/Findings:

See Table 1. Outcomes of re-entry for donors with unconfirmed/false-positive transmissible diseases markers.

Conclusions:

Most donors (range: 48-82%) are requalified to donate after attempting re-entry and re-entering donors return appear motivated to donate. Reasons for the variability in re-entry outcomes require future study.