Prospective study of HIV I seropositive patients in hemodialysis centers

A prospective multicenter study was undertaken between February 1985 and August 1986 in 4 hemodialysis centers in the Paris area (France) in order to assess the prevalence of HIV I infection and the risk of transmission of the virus within the centers. A four-month follow-up was carried out in 221 patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and in 40 staff members caring for the patients in 2 centers. 62 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 126 hemodialysis patients who transited through a center (HDT) were screened once. A questionnaire exploring risk factors was completed for each patient and staff member. Sera were tested for HIV I antibodies by ELISA (ELAVIA) and confirmed by Western Blot. Of the 347 HD + HDT patients, 4 were found to be positive. Of the 221 HD patients, 1 multi-transfused hemophiliac and 1 multitransfused Nigerian without other risk factors were positive in the first screening. Another patient seroconverted after transfusion during the study; no other risk factors existed and the donor has not yet been found. One of the 126 HDT patients had received infected plasma. No staff members or PD patients were positive. No transmission within centers, from patient-to-patient or patient-to-staff was evidenced. Although HIV I seems to be less infectious than HBV, precautions to prevent transmission of HIV I in dialysis centers should be maintained.