Document 0774
 DOCN  M95A0774
 TI    Ascertaining exposure categories of HIV-infected individuals with
       previously unrecorded risk data [see comments]
 DT    9510
 AU    Stevenson EM; Thompson SC; Crofts N; Epidemiology and Social Research
       Unit, Macfarlane Burnet Centre; for Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC.
 SO    Med J Aust. 1995 Jul 17;163(2):66-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95342026
 CM    Comment in: Med J Aust 1995 Jul 17;163(2):61
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To improve the quality of surveillance data for HIV in
       Victoria by following up all cases with an unknown exposure category;
       and to determine whether those with no exposure category included cases
       of transmission other than via the conventionally recognised routes.
       METHODS: The Victorian HIV database records data on all people diagnosed
       with HIV in Victoria, including information on route of exposure to the
       virus. We identified all HIV diagnoses to which no exposure category had
       been attributed and, with the permission of the State Minister for
       Health, obtained access to namecoded testing records. Exposure
       categories, where possible, were obtained directly from these records.
       Otherwise, cases were checked against the namecoded AIDS database and,
       if necessary, an intensive process of call-back to laboratories,
       diagnosing doctors and HIV treatment centres was undertaken. RESULTS:
       The database initially contained records for 289 people with unknown
       exposure categories (9.1% of Victorian people with HIV infection). We
       identified exposure categories for 155 of these people. CONCLUSIONS:
       Exposure categories for those cases previously without data were similar
       to those for cases where exposure category was known. No instances of
       HIV transmission by previously unrecognised means were detected.
 DE    Comparative Study  *Data Collection  Databases, Factual  Female  Great
       Britain  Human  HIV Infections/CLASSIFICATION/*TRANSMISSION  Male
       Records  Retrospective Studies  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior  United
       States  Victoria/EPIDEMIOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).