Blood, blood products, and HIV

Infection with the AIDS virus is the biggest and most challenging health problem of the 20th century. While researchers continue to struggle for a cure, effective screening for HIV-1 antibodies has been one of the most important strategies in preventing further infections. The first edition of this book was published in October 1987. At that time, strategies to counter the risk of transfusion-associated HIV-1 infection were just being implemented, although the success of these policies was not yet clear. Since then, this risk has been greatly reduced. However, the topics is still of importance. In this second edition, the changes in the epidemiology of the infection are considered, with particular reference to transfusion associated infection. Advances in the understanding of the virus, its effects on the immune system, and the immune response to the virus are all updated. Two new chapters are included - on procedures for the prevention of virus transmission by blood products and on the effects of the virus on cytokines and cellular antigens. This new edition of Blood, Blood Products and AIDS will continue to be an essential reference for all blood transfusion centres, and will also be of interest to infections disease physicians and haematologists.