The Decreasing Risk of Transfusion-Associated AIDS

Abstract

The first report of the transmission of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by transfused blood appeared in December 1982. In the absence of a known cause or a laboratory test to identify donors capable of transmitting AIDS to transfusion recipients, blood-collection agencies made changes in their procedures for donor qualification and recruitment to deter donation by those at risk for AIDS. This approach, which was supplemented by testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody in the spring of 1985, blunted but did not totally eliminate the threat of transfusion-associated AIDS. Three articles in this issue of the Journal illustrate the profound . . .