One of the patients infected with HIV after an organ transplant in Rio de Janeiro was hospitalized this Sunday (20). He is one of six transplant recipients who became infected with the virus that causes AIDS after a laboratory error failed to detect the presence of HIV in the organs.
According to the Rio State Department of Health, the patient called the exclusive emergency line to assist transplant patients who received HIV-infected organs. He was sent to the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases, at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, where he was admitted.
According to the secretariat, in addition to emergency care, the protocol also includes outpatient and psychological support for patients and their relatives at the Pedro Ernesto University Hospital.
“A board of experts was also set up and will be permanently available to doctors who were already following these patients for discussions and technical advice”, says a note from the secretariat.
The laboratory test that resulted in the erroneous report and the consequent release of the infected organs for transplantation was carried out at the Saleme laboratory (PCS Labs).
The private diagnostic unit had a contract with the state government to carry out clinical analyzes for the state health network units, which includes transplant services. The police are investigating negligence in quality control at PCS Labs and arrested those suspected of responsibility in the case.
