Nosocomial child-to-child transmission of HIV

possible to document if the child had been in contact with such a box in a single-bed room other than the child’s own room. The health authorities concluded, that based on viral genotyping, nosocomial transmission had occurred from another child with HIV-1 infection, and that an unnoticed needlestick during an unobserved visit to the room of the source child was the most plausible explanation of transmission. The parents of all other children in the unit during the relevant period were offered HIV-1 testing. So far, 15 children have been examined; all are HIV-1 antibody negative. The present case is an exception that illustrates the rule. Large population-based studies in households of HIV-1 infected patients have not found transmission with normal social contact. The potential role of the permanent intravenous line in this case, if any, is not known. The transmission probably resulted from an unrecognised exposure to blood. This case stresses the fact, that blood and bloody body fluids of HIV-1-infected persons are infectious, and that even in health-care settings with attention to precautions to prevent transmission, the unexpected may occur.