An ongoing dialogue on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases,
7 Responses to “Back to School, Day 4: PEP and More PEP”
Paul E. Sax, MD
Associate Editor
NEJM Clinician
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1) There has never been an occupational case of HIV infection following an injury with a suture needle. The amount of blood on solid needles is negligible and it has never been sufficient to transmit the infection. The percutaneous rate of 0.3% we estimated in our 22-year surveillance of the risk of HIV infection following occupational exposures in the Studio Italiano Rischio Occupazionale da HIV (SIROH) is related to hollow-bore, blood-filled needles, apart from one case following a cut with a scalpel in which the HCW’s finger was in direct contact with the blood of the patient. Moreover, approximately 50% of the material on the needle will remain on the surgical glove. 2) The source patient’s viral load is undetectable. 3) When giving PEP, remember that severe (requiring hospitalization) adverse effects occur in 0.7% of cases. In conclusion, my advice to thisw HCW, that I gave and give in similar cases, would be that PEP is not indicated, regardless of whether the HCW is pregnant or not.
In response to Dr. De Carli’s comments, I agree that there has not been a documented report of HIV transmission after injury with a suture needle, but that does not mean the risk of transmission is zero– absence of evidence does not necessarily mean evidence of absence. As you mentioned, there have been reports of transmission following scalpel injuries. There have also been reports of HIV-infected health care providers where clear occupational exposure have not been documented but one could imagine underreporting in some instances. With that said, I agree that to observe her off antivirals seems very reasonable since the serious adverse effects of antivirals (while small) could be greater than benefit given the very low risk of transmission in this case. In keeping with CDC guidelines, I would follow this patient for at least 6 months after exposure with periodic HIV antibody testing. If the skin had remained completely intact without abrasion then I would conclude that there was zero risk for HIV transmission and would not consider antiviral PEP. I would be curious to know whether Dr. De Carli would perform periodic HIV antibody testing in this case?
There has never been a case of an occupational transmission of HIV to a surgeon by a finger stick using a suture needle in the United States,(that we know of), over 20 years into the HIV epidemic and who knows how many thousands of similar finger sticks. Surely this, coupled with the patients undetectable viral load, make transmission of HIV virtually zero. So long story short not offering PEP would also be correct.
I had to present to our surgery colleagues earlier this year regarding HIV and as it concerns surgeons. As Dr. Mariuz stated, there are no reported cases of HIV transmission via solid needle in the population of surgeons that we know of. I found interesting during my presentation how many surgeons still do not double glove. I wonder if the double vs single gloving question would change the answer of anyone regarding this case. I also wonder why one would follow guidelines in this case and give two drugs vs three. We already know what the patient is on, why not use a similar regimen like combivir/boosted reyataz. My feeling would be, if giving PEP…”GIVE IT” i.e. three drugs. If not, then observe.
>>I also wonder why one would follow guidelines in this case and give two drugs vs three.
The “scientific” argument is that 2 drugs are better tolerated than 3, and hence adherence is going to be better as well.
But I tend to agree that if you’re going to give PEP, you might as well go the whole way to 3 drugs. I use the 2 drug approach for those who don’t need PEP at all, but are simply too anxious not to take something.
If after suture incident to fingure (double glove case) the resident starts on Combivir and the HIV tests (antibodies) for the patient, being treated by the resident, turns out to be negative,. how long should the resident continue the drug or should he/she stop immdiately
>>how long should the resident continue the drug or should he/she stop immdiately.
If the source patient tests negative, Combivir can be stopped! This is one of the great (but underutilized) settings for rapid HIV testing …
Only exception to this rule is if the source patient might have acute HIV — a rare event, and one that generally would be evident clinically if one is thinking of it.