Case report of a haemovigilance investigation using phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 in Brazil

Objectives: The aim of this work is to provide the first report of a transfusion-acquired HIV-1 infection and to verify transmission from the donor to the recipients using phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 DNA sequences in a Brazilian blood bank. Background: Although haemovigilance procedures based on phylogenetic analysis of HIV have been reported in several countries, this type of study has yet to be conducted in Latin America. Materials and Methods: Upon identifying a HIV-1-positive repeat blood donor by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) blood screening, all recipients of the donor's previous donation were identified and tested for HIV-1 by EIA, nucleic acid amplification test and HIV-1 DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: One of the recipients tested positive for HIV-1. The phylogenetic analysis showed a high genetic similarity among the viruses, thus supporting the hypothesis of transmission from the donor to the recipient. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 DNA sequences has been a decisive tool in verifying suspected transmission of the virus from blood donor to recipient in Brazil.