HIV infection in a high prevalence hemodialysis unit.

The number of intravenous drugs users (IVDUs) developing end-stage renal disease at our institution increased 400% between 1981 and 1987. During this period the total number of IVDUs in our catchment area remained stable and referral patterns to our hospital were unchanged. A serologic, clinical and risk-factor survey for HIV infection was conducted in our maintenance hemodialysis unit with the objective of evaluating the interrelationship between HIV infection and the increasing incidence of renal failure in IVDUs. The risk of nosocomial transmission of HIV in a hemodialysis unit with an expected high prevalence of infection was also investigated. The effect of HIV seropositivity on the clinical course of patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis was evaluated prospectively. Twenty-seven (39%) out of 70 maintenance hemodialysis patients tested were seropositive for HIV. Twenty-three (88%) out of 26 IVDUs receiving dialysis were seropositive for HIV. Despite marked CD4 cell depletion (mean CD4 cell count 225), none of the seropositive patients had AIDS when first evaluated and only one developed AIDS during 12 months of follow-up. None of the dialysis staff members or dialysis patients without HIV risk factors was seropositive for HIV. IVDUs who develop end-stage renal disease appear to have a high rate of infection with HIV. We can expect that the number of HIV-infected dialysis patients will continue to increase. Fortunately, even in a high prevalence hemodialysis unit, the risk of nosocomial transmission of HIV appears to be low.