AIDS and haemophilia: morbidity and mortality in a well defined population

Abstract

One hundred and forty three multitransfused patients with hereditary haemostatic disorders were examined for evidence of disease related to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ninety nine patients with severe haemophilia A were tested for anti-HTLV-III and 76 were found to be positive. All except one of these seropositive patients had received commercial factor VIII concentrates at some time. Eighteen patients with haemophilia B were tested and all were anti-HTLV-III negative. Three out of 36 sexual partners of patients with haemophilia A positive for anti-HTLV-III were also seropositive. One, who had recently received blood transfusions, had AIDS with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Three patients with severe haemophilia A died from AIDS. A further 30 haemophiliacs had AIDS. © 1985, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.