Four transplant recipients in Chicago contracted HIV from a high-risk donor whose infection went undetected, hospital officials said.

Health officials said the infections were the first documented cases of HIV being transmitted by donated organs in the United States in more than 20 years, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

The transplants occurred at three Chicago hospitals in January. Officials said patients didn't learn of their infections with HIV and the hepatitis C virus until two weeks ago.

Authorities said the infections were caused by a rarely encountered flaw in the test used to detect hepatitis C and the virus that causes AIDS.

A screening questionnaire determined the organ donor engaged in risky behavior, said officials of Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donation, the organ procurement agency that tested and approved the donated organs. The tests were negative, likely because the donor became infected during a window when conditions wouldn't be detected, officials said.

"Every patient in need of an organ has a significant medical condition that in most circumstances limits life expectancy," said Alison Smith, Gift of Hope vice president for operations. "The question becomes what degree of risk is appropriate in that situation."  // Copyright 2007 by United Press International



Publication date: 13 November 2007   

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