Influence of Irradiation on the Risk of Transmission of HIV in Bone Grafts Obtained from Appropriately Screened Donors and Followed by Radiation Sterilization

We studied the effects of radiation (electrons of 6.2 MeV) at different temperatures with respect to the inactivation of the human immunodeficiency virus to determine the radiosensitivity of the virus. Using a mathematical model describing the dependence on radiation dose of the proportion of sterile items in a population of bone allografts contaminated by HIV, and subjected to irradiation, we have commented on and explained the calculation of the sterility assurance level in bone transplantation according to different doses of irradiation at different temperatures. Simultaneous application of heat and radiation increases inactivation of HIV. Given the relative imprecision of viral sensitivity curves and the impossibility of knowing the number of viral particles in a patient at a given moment of the disease, irradiation does not authorize bone transplantation without screening. However, irradiation can be considered as a serious adjuvent to decrease the risk of contamination after screening.