Tait DR, Pudifin DJ, Gathiram V, Windsor IM; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: C268 (abstract no. PoC 4141).
Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal, South Africa.
INTRODUCTION: Health care workers have a small, but real, risk of infection with HIV due to occupational exposure to HIV infected blood and body fluid. This risk is currently estimated to be 0.31% following percutaneous exposure. Although universal precautions do reduce the risks, accidental exposures continue to occur, and 28 documented seroconversions due to occupational exposure have been described worldwide. OBJECTIVES: Follow up of all HCWs with a documented occupational exposure to HIV. METHODS: All HCWs are encouraged to report any percutaneous exposure to blood. Permission is obtained from the patient for HIV testing and if serological evidence of HIV infection is present the HCW is offered AZT prophylaxis and regular follow up. RESULTS: Up until January 1991, there have been 37 documented percutaneous exposures to the blood of HIV infected patients in Natal, South Africa. There have been two (5.4%) documented seroconversions, one of them despite AZT prophylaxis. A third HIV positive HCW has been detected who denies risk factors other than occupational exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This seroconversion rate compares unfavourably with the rate reported elsewhere in the world, the reason for this is not clear. AZT prophylaxis was unsuccessful in the HCW who completed a six week course. Exposure details, laboratory and clinical information will be presented.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Personnel
- Humans
- Occupational Exposure
- Risk Factors
- South Africa
- Universal Precautions
- Zidovudine
Other ID:
UI: 102199564
From Meeting Abstracts