title: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)--apheresis and operative risks.
abstract: The removal of immune complexes, autoantibodies and suppressor factors from the circulation of patients with AIDS and AIDS related conditions by plasmapheresis and selective immunoadsorption may play a role as a therapeutic modality in these disorders. Lymphocytapheresis may also be of potential use in AIDS related conditions with presumed autoimmune basis. Perfusion of plasma over immobilized protein A columns is being evaluated as a possible immunomodulatory and antitumor therapy in patients with AIDS related Kaposi's sarcoma. Although apheresis procedures as a therapeutic modality in AIDS related conditions are still at the experimental stage, preliminary results are encouraging. The possible transmission of the disease by blood products presents a health hazard to health workers involved in the field of apheresis. Since the mode of transmission of the disease appears to be similar to hepatitis B, strict hepatitis B precautions should be enforced in every case in which AIDS suspected blood is being processed.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006464:Hemoperfusion; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D012306:Risk; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications