Haemophilia, Blood Products and HIV Infection

Abstract

Between 1979 and 1984, many haemophiliacs in the UK were exposed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by transfusion of blood products, in particular clotting factor concentrates, especially those imported from the USA. In the UK 1025 haemophiliacs are HIV-antibody-positive, of whom 75 are in Scotland. Thirty-one UK haemophiliacs have developed the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), of whom 23 have died. The clinical progress of HIV infection appears similar in haemophiliacs and in other risk groups, except that Kaposi's sarcoma is rare. There is evidence that transfusion of blood products is immunosuppressive in the absence of HIV antibody. Blood donor selection and heat treatment of clotting factor concentrates were introduced from 1985, and so far these measures appear to have largely prevented new HIV infection in haemophiliacs. Meanwhile a tragic toll of iatrogenic disease and death continues to increase.