New York Organ Recipient Contracts HIV From Donated Kidney

The organ donor reportedly had unprotected sex after being tested and before donating the organ.

It’s believed to be the first instance of HIV transmission from a living organ donor in the U.S. since 1985. A spokeswoman for the New York State Health Department said the unidentified hospital in which the transplant took place followed the correct protocol but that the donor engaged in risky sexual behaviour some time after undergoing blood tests. Tests conducted on living donors weeks ahead of transplants have all but eliminated the transmission of HIV through donated organs, but the health department is now recommending that hospitals test donors for HIV and hepatitis C and B within 14 days of the procedure.