Postoperative infections in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive orthopedic trauma patients

In a retrospective study of 476 surgical orthopedic trauma patients, we compared postoperative infection rates between individuals seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and with no associated clinical symptoms with HIV-seronegative patients. Overall, the surgical postoperative infection rate was 16.7% in seropositive patients and 5.4% in the seronegative group (Chi-square, p = 0.035). When open fractures were considered separately, the seropositive group had a 55.6% infection rate compared with 11.3% in the seronegative group (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.004). Similarly, seropositive patients also had significantly increased rates of postoperative non-wound infections and complications (Chi-square p < 0.001). Asymptomatic HIV-seropositive orthopedic trauma patients are at significantly higher risk for postoperative infections than their seronegative counterparts. For HIV-seropositive patients with open fractures, this risk is especially pronounced.