HTLV-III/LAV Seroconversion Following a Deep Intramuscular Needlestick Injury

Abstract

To the Editor: In 1984, an anonymous report from England described a health care worker in whom antibody to human T-cell lymphotropic virus Type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV) developed after a needlestick injury.¹ Other investigators have reported seropositivity in health care workers without documentation of seroconversion.^{2 3 4} We have recently investigated a case of documented HTLV-III/LAV seroconversion after an occupational needlestick injury in the United States.During an emergency procedure, a female health care worker received a deep intramuscular needlestick injury with a large-bore (1.67 mm in diameter) needle and syringe unit that was visibly contaminated with blood from a patient with . . .