HIV transmission in a dialysis center--Colombia, 1991-1993

Abstract

Although never reported in the United States, previous reports of possible patient-to-patient transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated with hemodialysis (1,2) indicate the potential for this problem and the importance of infection-control measures in dialysis centers. In May 1994, CDC received a report of a cluster of HIV seroconversions among patients undergoing treatment at a dialysis center in Colombia. This report summarizes the findings of the epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of this cluster by the National Institute of Health in Colombia and CDC (3), which underscore the need for strict adherence to infection-control practices during dialysis (4,5).