Finding suggests AZT therapy may help prevent occupational HIV infection. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Finding suggests AZT therapy may help prevent occupational HIV infection. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.

AIDS Alert. 1995 Apr;10(4):45-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE AIDS/95700222

Abstract: A study of health care workers exposed to HIV-contaminated blood indicates that preventive zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir) therapy helped protect them from infection. The abstract for this unpublished study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was presented in a poster session at the recent Second National Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections in Washington, DC. Although CDC officials and needlestick experts use caution in interpreting the study, it is the strongest evidence to date that AZT has a protective effect. The study, the first case-controlled one of its kind, tried to identify risk factors for seroconversion among 23 health care workers who were infected by needlestick injuries, and 679 health care workers who were exposed to HIV by needlestick injury but who did not become infected. The CDC has remained neutral in its recommendations for exposed health care workers. Stating that it neither supports nor discourages preventive therapy, the guidelines do recommend that health care workers use any available data to help make their decision.

Keywords: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) *Health Personnel Human HIV Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION Needlestick Injuries/*COMPLICATIONS *Occupational Exposure/ADVERSE EFFECTS Risk Factors United States Zidovudine/*THERAPEUTIC USE NEWSLETTER ARTICLE
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M95A0962

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