[Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and related syndromes in hemophiliacs: status throughout the world].

The occurrence during the last 2 years of 29 cases of AIDS in hemophiliacs (21 in USA and 8 in Europe) suggests possible transmission of this disease by blood products. All these patients had received Factor VIII or IX concentrates and developed pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or other opportunistic infections. Kaposi's sarcoma was not observed in any patient. Recent studies have focused on the frequency of AIDS-related complex in hemophiliacs, which may arise as a crucial problem. However this does not justify at the moment any reduction in the substitutive treatment of hemophiliac patients unless new clues to the understanding of these disorders are provided. Therefore, it is mostly important to clearly define, through research programs and precise follow-up of patients, blood products which can be used safely in hemophiliacs.