Serial knife stabbings with HIV exposure - Implications for post-exposure prophylaxis

Thirty-three persons became victims of a serial knife stabbing incident. One of the first victims one day later disclosed that he was HIV-infected. Thereafter thirty-one victims initiated HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), one exposed patient declined. None of the victims evaluated had seroconverted six months later. In most such incidents HIV exposure will be difficult to rule out as reliable information on the HIV serostatus of all serial victims will be lacking. It appears prudent, however, to inform serial stab victims about the potential risk of HIV transmission and to at least consider PEP in such scenarios. (C) 2009 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.