Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)--apheresis and operative risks

The removal of immune complexes, autoantibodies and suppressor factors from the circulation of patients with AIDS and AIDS related conditions by plasmapheresis and selective immunoadsorption may play a role as a therapeutic modality in these disorders. Lymphocytapheresis may also be of potential use in AIDS related conditions with presumed autoimmune basis. Perfusion of plasma over immobilized protein A columns is being evaluated as a possible immunomodulatory and antitumor therapy in patients with AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma. Although apheresis procedures as a therapeutic modality in AIDS related conditions are still at the experimental stage, preliminary results are encouraging. The possible transmission of the disease by blood products presents a health hazard to health workers involved in the field of apheresis. Since the mode of transmission of the disease appears to be similar to hepatitis B, strict hepatitis B precautions should be enforced in every case in which AIDS suspected blood is being processed.