Lack of evidence for seroconversion to human immunodeficiency virus in recipients of anti-D immunoglobulin containing HIV antibody.

Twenty nine Rh negative women who had received injections of anti-D (Rho) immunoglobulin preparations (from an Indian firm) contaminated with antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), were tested for seroconversion to HIV, 14-38 wk after injections. All 29 were negative for HIV antibody, indicating that infectious HIV or immunogenic concentrations of inactivated HIV were not present in the investigated immunoglobulin product.

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection among voluntary blood donors.

HIV infection was found among voluntary blood donors at the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore (south India), the prevalence rate of infection among these donors being 1.63 per 1000. Based on these findings, the authors recommend that appropriate steps be taken immediately by all blood transfusion centres in India to evaluate the prevalence of HIV infection among blood donors and to prevent the transmission of the infection through blood transfusion.