Transfusion-associated AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease (AIDS) may be transmitted by transfusion of blood components, although the risk remains extremely small. This report reviews the evidence for transmission by transfusion, the risk in several different situations, and the steps blood banks have taken to prevent transfusion of blood from donors at risk for AIDS. A test for the antibody to the virus responsible for AIDS (HTLV-III) will shortly be in routine use in blood banks, but the frequency with which the results will be falsely negative or falsely positive in a blood donor population remains to be established.