HIV transmission by human bite: a case report and review of the literature\u2014implications for post-exposure prophylaxis

Dirk Schürmann,Christoph Ruwwe-Glösenkamp,Christian Hoffmann,Lutz Gürtler,Miriam S Stegemann

doi:10.1007/s15010-020-01477-6

Abstract

We report a case of a probable HIV-1 transmission by human bite. The analyzed data from ten previously reported suspected or allegedly confirmed HIV transmissions revealed a deep bleeding bite wound as the primary risk factor. A high HIV plasma viral load and bleeding oral lesions are present most of the time during HIV transmission by bite. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) should be recommended in case of a bleeding wound resulting from a bite of an HIV-infected person. PEP was missed in this presented case.

Highlights

Counselling about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for prevention of HIV infection following potential exposure after a human bite is an infrequent but regular task for infectious disease specialists
PEP counselling on HIV transmission by human bite has been a regular consultation request in our infectious disease center, reaching an estimated number of up to ten cases per year
We report a case of probable HIV-1 transmission by human bite

Summary

Introduction

Counselling about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for prevention of HIV infection following potential exposure after a human bite is an infrequent but regular task for infectious disease specialists. PEP counselling on HIV transmission by human bite has been a regular consultation request in our infectious disease center, reaching an estimated number of up to ten cases per year. While some consider the risk of HIV transmission by human bite to be negligible and do not advocate PEP, others see an actual risk and do recommend PEP. A recent review about the risk of HIV transmission by human bite concluded that the risk appears to be negligible [2]. We report a case of probable HIV-1 transmission by human bite. HIV transmission by human bite: a case report and review of the literature—implications for. Relationship with vic- the time of bite ml blood, VL:

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11 Schürmann Unmarried Ball of left Bleeding gap- Seronegative

Discussion

Compliance with ethical standards