A study of HIV-antibody in sera of blood donors and people at risk.

Abstract

During a 1-year period in 1986 and 1987 the sera of 1363 subjects were screened for the presence of HIV antibody in Karachi by means of enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were 880 recipients of unscreened blood 298 professional and 225 voluntary blood donors and 32 homosexuals and promiscuous individuals. Positive findings were rechecked by the Western blot test. 8 (.6%) were anti-HIV antibody positive. 2 of 6 sera tested by the Western blot method were positive for the AIDS virus: 2 married women aged 30 and 45 respectively who had had multiple transfusions (the probable cause of the infection). They had bilateral lymphadenopathy and visceromegaly. 1 of them had a biopsy indicating metastatic papillary carcinoma of the liver and she died a few weeks later. 2 other sera proved positive repeatedly by ELISA but could not be confirmed by Western blot. 1 of these individuals had carcinoma of the anterior nasal fossa. In Pakistan the source of HIV infection is blood donated by professional donors who tend to be promiscuous and use narcotics. Iv drug abuse is not common but the use of unsterilized needles also poses a risk of contracting AIDS. Low-income prostitutes not using protection are another risk group. Nonetheless the screening of blood bank supplies and a public education campaign can reduce the spread of AIDS.