5th International AIDS Conference Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:164 (abstract no. A.520)
Crespo D, Sabelli C, Trica A, Brizuela L, Ramella M, Muchinik G; Catedra de Microbiologia, Fac. de Odontologia, U.B.A., Argentina

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection in dental professionals as they represent an important group to study for occupational risk of HIV infection.

METHODS: A total of 617 subjects were included in this study. 400 were first year students at the School of Dentistry, 112 predoctoral students and 105 dental professionals. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by ELISA (Abbott recombinant HTLV III ELISA). Samples reacting positive by ELISA were confirmed by immuno-fluorescence or Western-blot.

RESULTS: Only 3 (0,75%) male subjects of the 400 students of the first year had antibodies to HIV. Risk factors analysis in the seropositive cases showed that 1 subject was homosexual and intravenous drug abuser and 2 were intravenous drug abusers.

CONCLUSION: Though dental professionals are likely to be exposed repeatedly to persons infected with HIV, we didn't find infection in any of the 112 predoctoral students and in the 105 dental professionals, assuming a low risk for the studied group.

890604
A520

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