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 : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries//Burns
Volume23
Issue1
Pagination1 - 5
Date Published1997
ISBN Number0305-4179
Other Numbersafc, 8913178
Keywords*HIV Infections/pc [Prevention & Control], *HIV Infections/tm [Transmission], *Skin Transplantation/ae [Adverse Effects], Guidelines as Topic, HIV Infections/et [Etiology], Humans, Mass Screening/mt [Methods], Primary Prevention/mt [Methods], Risk Factors, Transplantation, Homologous/ae [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.

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