Organs transplanted by HIV-infected people

In Taiwan, doctors have transplanted organs from a deceased HIV-infected into five patients. The victims must now be treated as a precaution with AIDS drugs.

29/08/2011

In Taiwan, doctors have committed a serious medical error during a transplant. Instead of transplanting organs from a previously healthy donor, donor organs of an AIDS-infected person were used in five critically ill patients. The actually renowned clinic in Taiwan informed on its website about the momentous incident. As a spokesperson for the National University Hospital in Taipei explained, a staff member, after reviewing the documents, had assumed that the English word noted on the standardized AIDS test „ reactive“ „HIV negative“ instead of „HIV positive“ mean. This notice was then only passed on by telephone, instead of checking and securing the information again. Subsequently, a total of five organs (liver, lung and kidneys) were transplanted into five patients.

Criminal complaint due to a „criminal medical error“
The Taiwanese health authorities subsequently filed a criminal complaint with the investigative authorities. These now determine due to a „criminal medical error“, As a spokesman for the authority on Monday told the news agency AFP. The organs had released the relatives of a 38-year-old man who died a few days ago for donation. The family apparently did not know about the deceased's HI infection. Subsequently, the body of the deceased was also examined for HIV and found. It was thus clear that there was a transmission error.

Combination drug is intended to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks
The victims will now be given preventive anti-viral AIDS medication. Earlier this year it could be determined that taking a combined drug with the active ingredients „emtricitabine“ and „tenofovir“ according to a US study called „IPREX“ reduce the likelihood of an HIV outbreak by 44 percent. (Sb)

Also read:
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Two million HIV infected teens worldwide
China: clinics deny Aids patients
UN warns against rapid spread of AIDS
AIDS: SI virus is considered a precursor to HIV
Why some people do not get AIDS despite HIV
AIDS: No fate with real antibodies?
World AIDS Day: more solidarity demanded

Image: Henrik G. Vogel