Reported seroconversions to human immunodeficiency virus among workers worldwide--a review

The authors undertook a review of published articles on reported worldwide seroconversions to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among workers who sustained occupational exposure to HIV. Documented seroconversions are occupational exposures for which the worker is tested and found negative for HIV antibody shortly after the exposure (usually within 30 days). The worker may develop symptoms of a retroviral illness, and seroconversion occurs usually within six months. In all cases the worker is interviewed to determine that there were no other risk factors for infection. Review of the literature identified 16 parenteral exposures (needlesticks or cuts with a sharp object), two mucous membrane exposures, two nonintact skin exposures and one cutaneous exposure to infected blood or body fluids.