HIV transmission by transplantation of allograft skin: a review of the literature

TitleHIV transmission by transplantation of allograft skin: a review of the literature
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsPirnay JP, Vandenvelde C, Duinslaeger L, Reper P, Vanderkelen A
JournalBurns
Volume23
Issue1
Pagination1 - 5
Date PublishedFeb
ISSN0305-4179 (Print) 0305-4179 (Linking)
Accession Number9115602
KeywordsGuidelines as Topic, HIV Infections / etiology / *prevention & control / *transmission, Humans, Mass Screening / methods, Primary Prevention / methods, Risk Factors, Skin Transplantation / *adverse effects, Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects
Abstract

The fear of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission by means of allograft skin has led to a cautious approach to allograft donor selection. However, no irrefutable diagnostic test exists to determine the possible presence of HIV at the time of donation. In order to find ways of improving HIV donor screening practices for skin banks, we review the presence of HIV in human skin, explore the possible transmission of HIV by transplantation of human allograft skin, and discuss the reliability of existing HIV tests. The use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a sensitive detection system for HIV infection of skin biopsies, in combination with conventional routine HIV blood screening tests; could lower the risk of transmitting HIV to severely burned patients.
DOI
Notify Library Reference ID1272

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