[HIV1 infections in dialysis centers. Prospective studies in 4 centers in Ile-de-France].

A prospective multicenter study was undertaken between february 1985 and august 1986 in 4 haemodialysis centers in the Paris area (France) in order to assess the prevalence of HIV1 infection and the risk of transmission of the virus within the centers. Every four months a follow-up was carried out in 221 patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) and in 40 staff members caring for the patients in 2 centers. 62 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 126 haemodialysis patients who transited through a center (HDT) were screened once. A questionnaire exploring risk factors was completed for each patient and staff member. Sera were tested for HIV1 antibodies by ELISA (ELAVIA) and confirmed by Western Blot. Of the 347 HD + HDT patients, 4 were found to be positive. Of the 221 HD patients, 1 multi-transfused haemophiliac and 1 multitransfused Nigerian without other risk factors were positive in the first screening. Another patient seroconverted after blood transfusion during the study; no other risk factors existed and the donor has not yet been found. One of the 126 HDT patients had received infected plasma. No staff members or PD patients were positive. Thus there is no evidence within the centers of transmission, from patient-to-patient or patient-to-staff. Although HIV1 seems to be less infectious than HBV, precautions to prevent transmission of HIV1 in dialysis centers should be maintained.