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Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
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Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays

Published on: September 26, 2011

Unexplained HIV-1 infection in children--documenting cases and assessing for possible risk factors

R Hiemstra1, H Rabie, H S Schaaf

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Tygerberg Children's Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch.

South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
|April 22, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Unexplained human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in children were investigated. Circumstantial evidence suggests nosocomial transmission, highlighting the need for further studies on medical procedures that may spread HIV.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Previous reports suggested horizontal transmission of HIV-1 between siblings.
  • Several cases of unexplained pediatric HIV infections have been reported since 2000.
  • A registry was established to investigate unexplained HIV transmission in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent of horizontal or unexplained human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in children.
  • To identify potential sources of HIV infection in pediatric cases with no clear risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical charts for children with unexplained HIV infection.
  • Data collection on hospitalizations and medical procedures prior to HIV diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • Fourteen children with unexplained HIV infection were identified.
  • Thirteen of the 14 children had prior hospitalizations, often as neonates.
  • All but two children had undergone intravascular cannulation and/or intravenous drug administration before diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Confirmed cases of HIV infection with inadequately explained sources.
  • Circumstantial evidence supports nosocomial (hospital-acquired) transmission.
  • Urgent need for further studies to identify medical procedures facilitating HIV spread.
Abstract

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