Occupational Hazards Of HIV And Its Prophylaxis

Abstract

Doctors currently recommend a four-week preventive treatment with zidovudine and lamivudine for health professionals accidentally exposed to HIV-infected blood. Preliminary research has shown that the average risk for infection (0.3%) after an injury involving HIV-infected blood can be reduced by nearly 80% with preventive treatment. The risk may be higher for those repeatedly exposed to infected blood and if the virus level in the exposed blood is high. Treatment with indinavir may be advisable if the exposure is extensive or if the infected patient carries a virus resistant to treatment. INTRODUCTION HIV transmission in the health-care setting is of concern. Transmission is evidently rare in the industrialized nations and can be significantly reduced or prevented by the use of standard infection control measures, appropriate clinical and instrument-handling procedures, and the use of safety equipment and safety needles. Viruses can be transmitted in health-care settings including dentistry, albeit rarely, where standard infection control measures are not implemented. The epidemic of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been recognized for about 25 years, and concern about the transmission of human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) is therefore not new. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted from person to person via the following routes: Most dental HCPs appear to be careful to try to avoid injury during intra-oral procedures, but it is during extra-oral procedures—laboratory work, operatory clean up, and instrument preparation for sterilization—that most percutaneous injuries occur. WHAT IS AN OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE? According to the ILO/WHO guidelines “An occupational exposure is defined as a percutaneous, mucous membrane or non-intact skin exposure to blood or body fluids that occurs during the course of an individual’s employment. This applies to health care workers (HCW) and to non-health workers.” The risks for occupational transmission of HIV vary with the type and severity of exposure: A percutaneous injury refers to an injury resulting from a needle prick, or a cut with a sharp object. The risk after percutaneous exposure is estimated to be about 0.3% i.e. 3 out of a thousand needle pricks may result in HIV infection. The risk after a mucous membrane exposure is estimated to be lower; about 0.09%. This includes contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth, or contact with chapped, abraded or inflamed skin. Episodes of HIV transmission have also been documented after non-intact skin exposure. Although the average risk for transmission by this route has not been precisely quantified, it is estimated to be much less than the risk for mucous membrane exposures. Various factors increase the risk of acquiring HIV infection. These include: POTENTIALLY INFECTIOUS BODY FLUIDS The most frequent areas of contact are the hands, eye or mucous membrane contacts may occur in cases where there is splattering of blood. POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to treatment of occupational exposures using antiretroviral therapy. The rationale is that antiretroviral treatment which is started immediately after exposure to HIV may prevent HIV infection. Protocol for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of percutaneous injury with known HIV-contaminated blood Occupational Hazards Of HIV And Its Prophylaxis 2 of 4 has been modified relatively recently. This change has been supported by the Canadian Medical Association and other agencies concerned with infection control and aseptic procedures in health care settings. The PEP protocol is altered from time to time following review of prospective, case-controlled studies of HIV seroconversion in health care workers after percutaneous exposure to HIV-contaminated blood. These studies are commonly known as the CDC Needlestick Study. Although the possibility of seroconversion following an HIV-contaminated percutaneous injury in a dental setting appears to be extremely unlikely, contaminated percutaneous injuries in dentistry do, unfortunately, occur. There are several preventive measures to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. These include: What immediate measures should be taken after an occupational exposure? Following exposure to HIV, there are currently only two known means to reduce the risk of developing HIV infection: post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission Currently recommended guidelines for pep state that: Therapy should be recommended after exposure Therapy should be initiated within one to two hours of exposure, for a period of 4 weeks 2and 3-drug PEP regimens that are based on the level of risk for HIV transmission represented by the exposure are recommended Reevaluation of the exposed person should be considered within 72 hours post-exposure, especially as additional information about the exposure or source person becomes available If the source patient's HIV status is unknown at the time of exposure, decide whether to give PEP on a case-to-case basis after considering the type of exposure and clinical/epidemiological likelihood of HIV infection in the source. If a source person is determined to be HIV-negative, PEP should be discontinued Basically, 2 types of regimens are recommended for PEP: a “basic” 2-drug regimen that should be appropriate for most HIV exposures and an “expanded” three-drug regimen that should be used for exposures that pose an increased risk for transmission TWO-DRUG ARV REGIMENS PREFERRED ZDV + 3TC (or FTC) ALTERNATIVES TDF + FTC (or 3TC)