Current Trends Update: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) -- United States
Between June 1981 and August 1, 1983, physicians and health
departments in the United States and Puerto Rico reported 1,972
cases
of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) meeting the
surveillance
definition*. These cases were diagnosed in patients who have
Kaposi's
sarcoma (KS) or an opportunistic infection suggestive of an
underlying
cellular immunodeficiency. Three hundred thirty-one cases (17% of
the
total) were reported to CDC over the last 6 weeks; the average of
53
cases reported per week during July 1983 compares with an average
of
11 per week in July 1982 and 24 per week in January 1983 (Figure
1).
Of all patients, 759 (38%) are known to have died; the mortality
rate
for patients with opportunistic infections continues to be over
twice
that of patients with KS alone. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
(PCP)
is the most common life-threatening opportunistic infection in AIDS
patients; many of the patients may have multiple opportunistic
infections, either sequentially or simultaneously. Of the reported
cases, 71% have homosexual or bisexual orientation; 95% of the
patients with KS are in this group.
Over 90% of AIDS patients are 20-49 years old; almost 47% are
30-39 years old. Cases have occurred in all primary racial groups
in
the United States. One hundred twenty-nine (7%) cases have been
reported in women; the ratio of male to female patients (14:1) has
been almost constant over the last year. Most cases are reported
among residents of large cities. New York City has reported 44% of
all cases meeting the surveillance definition; San Francisco, 10%
of
cases; and Los Angeles, 6% of cases. Cases have been reported from
39
states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico (Figure 2).
Reported by city, state, and territorial epidemiologists; AIDS
Activity, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: To date, CDC has been notified that at least 18
states and territories have made AIDS reportable, and approximately
26
have introduced or are considering measures to make it reportable.
Some states that have not taken specific action have cancer
registries
or already require many opportunistic infections to be reported.
Physicians aware of patients fitting the case definition for AIDS
are
requested to report such cases through their local or state health
departments. AIDS patients who do not belong to any of the
recognized
risk groups or who are recipients of blood or blood products
(including anti-hemophiliac factors) should be reported
immediately.
CDC will soon make available a reporting format by which patients'
names need not be sent to CDC.
Concern has been expressed about potential transmission of AIDS
from hospitalized patients to health-care personnel (1). Although
no
instance of direct transmission has been reported (2), accidental
needlestick injuries or similar types of accidents occasionally
occur. To evaluate the possible risk of AIDS transmission after
such
accidents, the Hospital Infections Program, CDC, in cooperation
with
several state health departments, has initiated a study at selected
hospitals of health-care personnel who have had documented
parenteral
or mucous membrane exposure to blood of definite or suspected AIDS
patients. This study is being expanded to include additional
hospitals. Hospital infection control staff who have been notified
of
these types of personnel exposures in their hospitals and wish to
obtain additional information about participation in the study
should
hospitals of health-care personnel who have had documented
parenteral
or mucous membrane exposure to blood of definite or suspected AIDS
patients. This study is being expanded to include additional
hospitals. Hospital infection control staff who have been notified
of
these types of personnel exposures in their hospitals and wish to
obtain additional information about participation in the study
should
contact the Hospital Infections Program, (404) 329-3406.
References
CDC. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): precautions
for
clinical and laboratory staffs. MMWR 1982;31:577-80.
CDC. An evaluation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS) reported in health-care personnel--United States. MMWR
1983;32:358-60.
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