Transfusion-associated (T-A)-AIDS in the United States

To the end of December 1991, 4,709 persons with transfusion-associated (T-A)-AIDS were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2.3% of 206,392 adult AIDS cases). Since 1990, the rate of T-A-AIDS case reporting has remained relatively constant at 160-190 cases diagnosed per quarter year. In comparison with other adults with AIDS, those with T-A-AIDS were more likely to be diagnosed with Candida esophagitis and wasting syndrome. Adults with T-A-AIDS tend to be older at diagnosis (mean age 55 years vs. 35 years), white (69% vs. 54%), and female (38% vs. 10%) than other adults with AIDS. However, these demographic differences have decreased over time. The median observed incubation period for T-A-AIDS was 58 months (range 1-154 mo.). Younger adult transfusion recipients had longer incubation periods than older adults. The changing epidemiology of T-A-AIDS reflects, in large part, the effectiveness of prevention strategies.