MULTIPLE TARGET TEST USEFUL FOR PRE-DONATION SCREENING OF BLOOD

摘要

Tests for establishing whether any of a plurality of different targets are present in a sample solution are described. If one or more of the targets are detected a positive result is obtained, but the different targets are not differentiated by the test, so there is no indication which targets have been detected. Such tests are useful for pre-donation screening of blood at public blood donation sessions to test whether the blood is safe for transfusion. The tests allow infected blood to be identified, but preserve the confidentiality of the reason for refusal of infected blood. This avoids the distress caused by public diagnosis of infection by diseases with which there is a social stigma attached, such as HIV. The tests are particularly suited for use in developing countries to screen for HIV, HBV, and HCV infection. Dipsticks and kits for performing the tests are also described.