When a donor's EIA test is reactive twice and then negative in the next donation, what should be the conclusion?

In a scenario where a donor's EIA (Enzyme Immunoassay) tests are reactive on two occasions and then return negative in a subsequent donation, the most appropriate conclusion is that the donor can be accepted. This outcome generally indicates a possible false positive result in the initial tests, which can occur due to various reasons such as cross-reactivity or technical errors during the testing process.

Following standard protocols, if a donor has reactive EIA tests, confirmatory testing is typically conducted to assess the presence of specific antibodies or infections that the EIA tests screen for. If subsequent tests yield a non-reactive result, it suggests that the donor does not currently have the infection being tested for, leading to the decision to accept the donation.

In blood donation practices, the priority is to ensure both donor safety and the safety of the blood supply, so if there is a negative confirmatory result following reactive initial tests, it generally allows for the donation to proceed, affirming that the donor is eligible to donate. This perspective emphasizes the importance of evaluating the situation holistically and following established testing protocols.