Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in admitted trauma patients at a southeastern metropolitan/rural trauma center.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) seropositivity was prospectively evaluated for trauma patients admitted to Memorial Medical Center between September 1989 and August 1990. Epidemiologic data, HIV risk factors, and opportunity for body fluid exposure were compiled for 520 admitted trauma patients 15 years of age or older who met inclusion criteria. Serum samples were obtained from initial laboratory tests. Patient identifiers were removed, and matching blinded numbers were placed on patient serum and data forms. Centers for Disease Control laboratories tested for HIV with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The Epi-Info (Version 5.01, 1990) software package was used for statistical analysis of epidemiologic data. Results showed HIV seropositivity of admitted trauma patients to be 0.96 per cent (5/520). HIV seroprevalence among young black males from our urban area who were injured during violent aggression was 3.5 per cent. Management of 80 per cent of patients resulted in opportunity for body fluid exposure. Illicit drug use was reported by 15 per cent; 7.5 per cent gave a history of transfusion since 1977; 3 per cent identified high risk sexual partners; three patients reported homosexual activity. Two patients denied risk factors, but were HIV-seropositive. The results indicate that HIV exposure is a potential hazard to health care workers and that HIV risk factors alone are not reliable in identifying the HIV-positive patient.