Plasma trade and the HIV epidemic

Abstract

We want to alert the international community to an efficient way of spreading HIV which has been largely ignored in most explanations of the rapid increase in HIV and AIDS in heterosexual populations in developing countries. Paid plasma donation has been reported as a risk factor for HIV infection. Iatrogenic HIV infection of plasma donors has been reported in Mexico, Spain, India, and more recently in China through reuse of disposable materials.1–3 In 1986, an HIV epidemic among paid donors occurred in Mexico.