Subscribe to Search results

Dr McIntyre expressed concern that the SNBTS might seek to introduce NANBH surrogate testing without specific funding and agreement from the SHHD.

Published on:

The Lancet published a letter in response from Dr Contreras and Dr Barbara, arguing that "Transfusion services must not bow to irrational pressure for measures whose efficacy is unproven".

Published on:

Professor Barbara accepted, when he gave evidence, that it was a premise of his and Professor Contreras's argument that NANBH infections were occasional and that they had the feeling that non-A, non-B was not as severe as hepatitis B. He further described his view of the value of surrogate testing being based on the limited number of post-transfusion hepatitis reports from clinicians.

Published on:

A memo from Dr J M Forrester to Dr McIntyre in relation to the Scottish Component of Research into Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis and Blood Transfusion Services outlined that there was a suggestion that the Scottish component of the study was being abandoned. It also referenced Dr Brian McClelland's view that "we had better simply institute screening".

Published on:

Minutes of Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Directors' meeting suggested that previous minutes were incorrect and that the Edinburgh Transfusion Centre would participate in the multi-centre study for surrogate testing for NANB hepatitis.

Published on:

In a letter to Professor Cash, Dr McIntyre stated that SNBTS wished to proceed with the research project into surrogate testing for NANB Hepatitis..

Published on:

Dr Brian McClelland submitted an application to Biomedical Research Committee relating to the study on NANBH infection in blood donors and the possibility of surrogate testing

Published on:

Dr Brian McClelland and Dr John Gillon applied to the Biomedical Research Committee of the SHHD's CSO for funding to enable the RTCs to participate in the multi-centre study on NANBH surrogate testing.

Published on:

The CSO's Biomedical Research Committee rejected the SNBTS NANBH screening research proposal on scientific grounds. Dr Forrester suggested deferring the decision being announced until the CSO had coordinated its actions with the DHSS, and envisaged that the DHSS might wish to take over the research proposal by adding a fourth English centre to the study.

Published on:

D Macniven commented that decision on whether or not to put resources into NANB testing should be properly informed by research. He suggested that "the worst of all possible worlds is that research cannot get off the ground and that they would be subjected to irresistible pressure to spend the money in any case, for the sake of improving the safety of blood and blood products.

Published on:

SSHD informed DHSS that the Biomedical Research Committee had decided not to support the ALT and anti-HBc screening of blood donation multi-centre study and the applicants were not allowed to resubmit.

Published on:

A paper titled 'Post-Transfusion Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: Significance of Raised ALT and Anti-HBc in Blood Donors' concluded that, at the time, a surrogate screening programme was not justified but further studies were required.

Published on:

An article titled 'Incidence and Significance of Hepatitis B Core Antibody in a Health Blood Donor Population' was published. It was concluded that although surrogate testing introduction may eventually be unavoidable, only a controlled prospective study would provide the necessary information to determine the significance of donor anti-HBc levels in relation to PTH, especially NANB, in the United Kingdom.

Published on:

At a SNBTS Director's Co-ordinating Group meeting it was agreed that the financial year 1988/89 should be spent in experimentation and evaluation of high ALT levels but that positive donors should not be deferred.

Published on:

At a SBTS Directors' meeting it was agreed not to introduce Non-A Non-B Hepatitis surrogate screening in Scotland until it had become UK policy.

Published on:

At a SNBTS Directors' meeting it was stated that it was believed that the Birmingham RTC was about to begin routine testing of ALT and anti-HBc.

Published on:

At a meeting of SNBTS and Haemophilia directors, Dr Forrester said that a decision on the introduction of Non-A Non-B Hepatitis screening would wait until the outcome of the multi-centre study. Dr McClelland and Professor Cash "considered the delay unjustifiable."

Published on:

It was agreed that a questionnaire on the use of Non-A Non-B Hepatitis surrogate screening in different countries would be circulated prior to the next European Health Committee meeting.

Published on:

Dr Gunson shared the replies to the questionnaire on the use of surrogate screening for Non-A Non-B Hepatitis in different countries with the Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood.

Published on:

At a meeting of the Steering Committee on Multi-Centre Study of ALT and anti-HBc Screening of Blood Donations, the study protocol was discussed in detail and it was anticipated that screening would begin on 1 September 1988.

Published on: