Critical Review of Emerging Automated Rapid Diagnostic and Point-of-Care Testing Devices for the Detection of Alcohol Use History among Potential Blood Donors
Jacques Forwah Ndeh *
Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ekpe Okpata Aribo
Department of Physiology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Edeani Bobby David
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Arinze Joseph Edochie
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham -UHB NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
Edung Emem Samuel
Emergency Department, Basildon and Thurock University Hospital London NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
Emekwue Chukwudi Alex
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku- Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Uchenna Livinus Akuka
Department of Public Health, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Taiwo Phillips
Department of General Medicine, Chines Medical University Shenyany /Korede Hospital Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Kelechi Anita Onwodi
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Cambridge, England, United Kingdom.
Yaa Adwubi Asamoah
WORCACCCE Union Group Integrated Healthcare Sciences, Technological Development and Training and Innovative Research Foundation (WUGIHSTTAIRF), P.O Box 45, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon.
Ughachukwu Goodness Idinma
Department General Outpatient, General Hospital Isolo, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Damilola Isaac Kolawole
Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti State, Nigeria.
Aduago Olga Maduabuchukwu
Department of General Medicine and Surgery, Monash Specialist Hospital Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.
Fasola Monioluwa
Department of General Medicine, Samron Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ramatu Umar Ibrahim
Department of Family Medicine, Maitama District Hospital /Kubwa General Hospital Abuja, Nigeria.
Halliday Chidinma Adaeze
Department of Internal Medicine, Federal Medical Centre Umuahia Abia State, Nigeria.
Ijeoma Amanda Eboh
Ebony State University, Ebony State, Nigeria.
Agiere Okpa Osim
Department of Family Medicine, Taprobane Medical Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.
Omowole Oladipupo Kolapo
St Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Tega Worship Ewhrudjakpor
Department of General Medicine York and Scarborough Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Scarborough, United Kingdom.
Rafiat Baderinwa-Ahmed
Department of DWP Ingeus, London, United Kingdom.
Bolodeoku Olasope Esther
Department of General Medicine, University of Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Idiege Idiege Omang
Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ofor Joshua Obase-Otumoyi
Department of Public Health, National Open University, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Akaba Kingsley Onoride
Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Ofonime Benjamin Essien
Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Immaculate Ihuoma Ekeagba
WORCACCCE Union Group Integrated Healthcare Sciences, Technological Development and Training and Innovative Research Foundation (WUGIHSTTAIRF), P.O Box 45, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon.
Abeshi Sylvester Etenikang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Identifying a history of alcohol consumption in prospective blood donors is a critical component of safeguarding the blood supply. Conventional laboratory analyses are often constrained by extended processing durations and significant expense. Innovative technologies, including automated rapid diagnostic (ARD) test strips and point-of-care testing (POCT) instruments for example, breathe analyzers, oral fluid tests, and assays for blood biomarkers present a viable alternative for swift and precise preliminary screening. This review provides a critical assessment of contemporary ARD and POCT tools for the routine detection of recent alcohol use among blood donors. We examine their benefits and drawbacks, encompassing analytical sensitivity, specificity, susceptibility to erroneous readings, and their feasibility within donation environments to enhance transfusion safety and operational economy. Principal conclusions suggest that although POCT improves screening throughput, concerns persist regarding performance consistency and a lack of uniform standards. Additional investigation and rigorous validation are essential to confirm the dependability of these technologies and to facilitate their adoption into standard blood donor screening procedures.
Keywords: Alcohol use, blood donors, blood safety, automatic rapid diagnostic/point of care testing devices