The human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) prevalent in Germany is reflected by its subtype B. During the years 2000 to 2010, mutations HIV-subtype B have caused several false-negative HIV test results, and two HIV transmissions by blood transfusion were experienced. Consequently, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut introduced compulsory dual-target-NAT testing for blood donations, and since then no further transmission was observed. Now, researchers of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut and the South African national blood service jointly checked seven CEmarked NAT test systems.
The Journal of Clinical Virology reports on the study in its online version of 23 September 2020.