title: Transmission of human and feline immunodeficiency viruses via reused suture material.
abstract: Several documented cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have involved unconventional or unknown modes of transmission of the virus. Some such cases have occurred within a surgical setting. We investigated the potential for transmission of HIV on suture material that had been reused following passage through an HIV-infected patient. Initial experiments were conducted in vitro using HIV. To provide stronger evidence that HIV could be transmitted via this route, further experiments were undertaken in vivo using a feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)/cat model. Both methods indicated the possibility of transmission of virus if suture materials were reused.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Fairfield, Australia. julian@hna.ffh.vic.gov.au
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Druce
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Locarnini
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kyaw-Tanner
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Sommerlad
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Birch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D002415:Cats; D002460:Cell Line; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral