The author discusses contemporary diagnostic possibilities of HIV infection in blood donors. She mentions the advantage of using dual tests for the concurrent detection of the HIV p24 antigen and HIV antibodies. These tests can shorten the immunological window period before seroconversion by some 5 - 7 days. A similar effect is produced by detection of HIV viral RNA implemented by the method of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is however economically, technically and as regards staff very pretentious. In reflections on the introduction of PCR into practice of the transfusion service it is important to evaluate all these aspects incl. the epidemiological background in the Czech Republic where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is still very low (48.1 cases per million population).

        Key words: blood donors, HIV/AIDS, HIV antibodies, HIV antigen p24, HIV RNA, PCR