Human immunodeficiency virus infection in transfused patients with acute leukemia

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted by sexual contact and by blood products. Patients with acute leukemia are extensively transfused as part of their supportive care. We conducted a retrospective study of the incidence of HIV antibody positivity in patients treated for acute leukemia at The Mount Sinai Medical Center between 1970 and 1986. Serum samples from 106 patients were studied, including 71 (67%) with at least one posttransfusion specimen. Six were found to have HIV antibodies. All positive specimens occurred in patients treated between 1980 and April 1985, when mandatory HIV testing of blood donors began. Twelve percent of the 51 patients studied from this time period underwent seroconversion documented by the presence of HIV-negative specimens prior to transfusion. These results show that these extensively transfused patients were at significant risk for HIV infection during the time period 1980 to April 1985.