[Hemophilia and HTLV-III infection]

The recognition of AIDS in several hemophiliacs in the U.S.A. in 1982 has contributed to the understanding that this disease may be transmitted by blood and blood products and that it is of infectious nature. American factor VIII and factor IX concentrates as well as the high portion of American plasma used in the production of further concentrates in Germany led to the rapid spread of this infection in German hemophiliacs. More than 50% of the patients suffering from severe hemophilia proved positive to anti-HTLV III. About 1% of these patients developed AIDS, and some of them already died. The absence of Kaposi's sarcomas in hemophiliacs remains unexplained. Virus inactivation by means of heat treatment of the concentrates by now most probably prevent further infections with the AIDS virus. probably prevent further infections with the AIDS virus.