HIV antibodies in beggar blood donors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| |
Authors: | M I Carvalho L R Castello-Branco J G Habib B Galv?o-Castro M S Pereira |
| |
Institution: | Banco da Providência, Gynaecology and Proctology Clinic, Brasil. |
| |
Abstract: | The prevalence of HIV antibodies, as well as evidence of hepatitis B, syphilis, and Chagas' disease, was tested in 87 male and 13 female clients of a church-funded medical clinic in Rio de Janeiro who often donated blood to commercial blood banks. 5 individuals were seropositive for HIV, 2 homosexuals, 1 bisexual, and 2 heterosexuals. 21 had evidence of hepatitis B, including 2 with HBsag antibodies. 13 tested positive for syphilis, and 5 were positive for T. cruzi (Chagas' disease). The high incidence of positive tests for hepatitis B and Chagas' disease was possibly due to donation by plasmapheresis, which has been suspected to cause outbreaks of non-A, non-B hepatitis and malaria in this area. The practice of selling contaminated blood to unsuspecting recipients should be prevented no matter how high the cost. |
| |
Keywords: | |
|
|