LabTesting - LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

Test Results
Blood donors are confidentially notified of any
unusual results found by our blood tests.
There is a possibility of false-positive test results
with any laboratory test. A positive test may indicate
the presence of disease.
Your Community
Blood Center
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is a family of
non-profit, volunteer community blood centers that
provides blood for patients. LifeSouth is headquartered
in Gainesville, Fla., and has donor centers serving
hospitals in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
For more information, contact your
physician or the LifeSouth donor center
closest to you. Visit our website at
www.lifesouth.org.
Kathleen Sazama, MD, JD
Medical Officer
(352) 224-1630
kjsazama@lifesouth.org
LabTesting
Meet
Deniyah
What every Little Deniyah Jackson is
one of 70,000
Americans who have
sickle cell disease, one
the most common
genetic diseases in the
U.S., occurring in one of
every 500 African American births. It can cause
excruciating pain, swelling of the hands and joints and
other serious complications. The most common
treatment is a blood transfusion and there are special
donors LifeSouth calls “Sickle Cell Heroes” whose blood
is especially helpful to patients like Deniyah who have
received multiple transfusions.
blood donor should know
“I pray a lot for the people who give blood. I’m
grateful, without them she would be suffering in pain,”
said Deniyah’s mother Tameka Hagins.
Donate blood today and find out if you are Sickle Cell
Hero.
Connecting our donors to our patients
www.lifesouth.org
888.795.2707
04-08
Laboratory tests performed on every unit of blood:
ABO & Rh “Blood Type”
WNV “West Nile Virus”
ABO and Rh typing are performed on red blood cells.
“ABO” refers to the presence or absence of A and/or B on
the red cells, and “Rh” refers to presence or absence of a
substance called “D.” If D is present the type is “positive.”
If D is not present the type is “negative.” Out of every 100
blood donors: 39 are 0+, 7 are O-, 34 are A+, 6 are A-, 8.5
are B+, 1.5 are B-, 3.5 are AB+, 0.5 are AB-.
LifeSouth tests for the presence of the genetic material
(nucleic acid testing) of this virus. The presence of genetic
material indicates current infection.
Antibody Screen
We screen all donated blood for the presence of red blood
cell antibodies. This test, like the blood type, is used to
help find compatible blood for a patient. Antibodies are
proteins secreted by white blood cells as part of the
body’s immune response.
HBV “Hepatitis B Virus”
LifeSouth tests for the presence of the genetic material
(nucleic acid testing), antigens and antibodies against this
virus. The presence of these markers can indicate either a
past or current infection.
HCV “Hepatitis Virus”
LifeSouth tests for the presence of the genetic material
(nucleic acid testing) and antibodies against this virus. The
presence of these markers can indicate either a past or
current infection. Approximately 1 percent of the general
population tests positive for hepatitis C.
Anti-HTLV-I/II “HTLV-I or II
Antibodies”
This test detects antibodies to the HTLV-I or II virus. This
virus has been rarely associated with adult T-cell leukemia
(ATL) and HTLV-associated myelopathy (HAM).
Syphilis “Treponema Pallidum
Antibody”
This test detects antibodies to the organism that causes the
sexually transmitted disease syphilis.
HIV “Human Immunodeficiency
Virus”
Tests done on some units:
Anti-CMV “Cytomegalovirus
Antibodies”
This test detects antibodies against cytomegalovirus. In
adults, CMV infection causes flu-like symptoms. However, in
premature newborns and some transplant recipients, very
serious illnesses can result from receiving a transfusion of
CMV positive blood. Approximately 50 percent of our donors
area are positive, most of whom are unaware they have ever
been exposed to CMV.
Chagas Disease
This test detects antibodies to the parasite
(T. cruzi) that is endemic in Latin American regions and causes
Chagas Disease. It is performed only once for each donor.
HLA Type “Human Leukocyte
Antigen”
Cholesterol
HLA typing is performed on white blood cells. This typing
is important in finding compatible blood products and/or
organs for transplantation. The blood center uses HLA typing
for matching donors to patients with special blood needs. It
is also used in matching donors who have consented to be
placed on the National Marrow Donor Program Registry for
unrelated bone marrow transplants.
This test is done as a service to our blood donors so they can
monitor their cholesterol levels.
Antigen
LifeSouth screens donated blood for HIV using NAT (Nucleic
Acid Testing) and antibody testing.
Red blood cell antigen typing beyond ABO and Rh may be
performed on specific units of blood to match to patients
with special needs.