THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the two instances of patients contracting HIV after receiving blood transfusion at Regional Cancer Centre here the institute authorities have decided set up Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) facility at the centre.
Sources said though the proposal for introducing NAT testing was submitted to the Centre two years ago and the sanction was also received in time, there was a delay in putting together the system in place owing to various factors. However, the RCC received the Administrative Sanction for the project just two days ago for setting up the testing mechanism.
The authorities came under pressure to push the project fast following the HIV infected blood transfusion at the Centre.
After completing the tender proceedings and selection process, the NAT facility is likely to be up and running at the RCC in three to four months. NAT (D NAT) testing for HIV, HBV, HCV is the latest technology which is also the preferred choice in the US, many Asian countries and Europe because it provides the highest sensitivity, best value, highest throughput and good service backing.
The testing facility is currently available in some of the major private hospitals in the state and across the country .
NAT will bring reduce the window period from 6 weeks to nearly six days in detecting HIV infected blood.
The current ELISA systems in place, tests only the antibody reflecting the immunological response of the host to the virus. The RCC at the moment has fourth generation ELISA tests or combined anti body/antigent (Ag/Ab) test facility. However, the Elisa test detects HIV infection in four to six weeks.
Experts say since blood donation during ‘window period ' is one of the main sources of transfusion linked to HIV infection, there is an urgent need to have the latest technology which reduces the window period.
As it takes two to six weeks for the immune system to develop enough HIV antibodies to be detectable, only the latest technology can help check transmission of the infection through blood transfusion.
