HIV Seroconversion in Haemophilic Boys Receiving Heat-Treated Factor VIII Concentrate

Treatment of haemophilia in the United Kingdom 1981-1996

“…This obviously created a dilemma for clinicians and patients at the beginning of 1985 who were forced to choose between imported, heat-treated American concentrates and the equivalent British products that had not been heat-treated. While it is accepted that some people with haemophilia could have been exposed to HIV through the use of British product in preference to heat-treated commercial products during this critical period, it must be remembered that HIV seroconversions with a heat-treated commercial FVIII were reported in 1986, leading to withdrawal of this product in the UK [21]. The virucidal process developed by BPL for the manufacture of 8Y involved heat-treatment at 80°C for 72 h. A subsequent clinical study co-ordinated by UKHCDO showed that this process was also effective against hepatitis C [10].…”

Growth in haemophilic boys after HIV infection.

“…In the cohort there was no significant change in growth in height nor weight after HIV seroconversion (figs [1][2][3]. Similarly there was no significant change in year on year change in height SD score after HIV seroconversion, either between consecutive years or at seroconversion and the last year studied.…”