How do you rule out, with confidence. that a case of hepatitis admitted, and who had received Blood Transfusion in the recent past, is not a case of post Transfusion Hepatitis ?

Other than "look back programme" wherein the Donors could be called back and re-tested etc etc..

anybody can help please ? Inputs would be appreciated !

Thanks in advance.... !!

Would you have hepatitis serology test results on the patient pre and post transfusion? it's not an easy situation and you would still have to go through the 'look back' procedures.

anyone have any other ideas about this?

Although it could add to the confusion, a good social history of the patient may shed light on the situation; or it could cloud it worse if the patient admits to IV drug use and/or multiple sexual partners in the recent past. If those are absent, the chances of transfusion related increases.

It's not just Hepatitis to be concerned with. If you are unable to rule out blood transmission by tests done on the Patient, and as mentioned, Patient history, you should get all donors re-tested. This is not that hard to do and donors usually cooperate. In contacting the donors, you need to include such phrases as checking to make sure you do not have a 'hidden' illness and 'verifying that it didn't come from you'.

We keep a sample of the donor's plasma/serum for many years within the NHSBT, just for such a look-back.