Mt Sinai Hospital

[henry4375]

Recently donated blood at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC! New donor here but had donated blood many times through the NY Blood Center. A few days later got a registered letter from Mt Sinai saying that the HCV screening test was reactive. They said that a supplemental test was performed which was negative and a Hep C nucleic acid test was also negative. The letter goes on to say that I am deferred from giving blood for 6 months and should come in at that time to be retested. I feel I meet none of the risk factors for HCV.

Isn't this most likely a false positive? Why do I need to be concerned for 6 months? A good friend MD at Monte suggested that I speak with "Doug Dieterich" at Mt Sinai. Would even be glad to come in if he takes GHI. In any case, I feel that the Mt Sinai donor center owes me more of an explanation than "come back in 6 months"

Thank you,       Henry

[henry4375]

Hi Bill,   Just wanted to give you an update. Went to a clinic today and re-did the antibody test. They seemed to feel that it was a false positive, given the negative results of the RIBA (?) and the nucleic acid test.  They'll have the results on Monday.   Thanks again,   Henry

[Bill1954]

I don’t have all the answers for you. As I understand it, the EIA antibody test can react to other things besides HCV; although I don’t know exactly what or why. The test is designed to screen large segments of population for HCV antibodies in a cost effective fashion, and relies on other, more specific tests such as RIBA (Recombinant ImmunoBlot Assay) and nucleic acid testing (PCR) to straighten out errors.

I suppose future blood donation depends on a number of things; if you test positive again for antibodies, of course, the answer will be no. Same with life insurance; they are typically indifferent to the ‘why’; it’d be good to get copies of the subsequent testing, including RIBA and any nucleic acid results just in case.

Good luck,

Bill

[henry4375]

Thanks for your informative and reassuring comments. I am fairly certain that it was a false positive. Why don't they just re-do the primary test now-----what is the point of six months? Why would it be difficult to donate blood in the future? I donated many, many times to the New York Blood Center ( a group donation thing here in NYC) and this first time at Mt Sinai Hospital, they pick up this positive for HCV----different testing procedures at different places? Thanks again for your positive feedback.    Stay well,    Henry

[Bill1954]

Hi Henry,

No need to bother Dr Dietrich; this was a false positive result. This happens occasionally with the HCV antibody test; it relies heavily on subsequent, supplemental testing. The follow up test, which was probably a ‘HCV RIBA’ test, is very specific for presence of antibodies; if this was negative, you’re in good shape.

On top of that, nucleic acid testing was also performed with a negative result; this tests for the presence of actual virus, as opposed to antibodies… you do not have HCV. Be sure to discuss this with your primary care doc for confirmation, but there shouldn’t be any issues.

It might be difficult, if not impossible to donate blood again; you might also have difficulty purchasing life insurance, etc.

Nice to hear good news now and then :o). Enjoy,

Bill