Sir.—In response to the recent editorial by Dr Hilgartner1 concerning acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the transfused patient, we would like to relate an anecdotal experience that confirms the need for second-generation tests to improve the sensitivity and specificity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody screening tests.
Patient Report.—Monozygotic twin girls were born after a 31-week gestation to a mother with O-negative blood type and no risk factors for HIV infection. On day 26, twin B developed a bullous cellulitis of the right foot; a wound culture yielded Staphy-lococcus aureus. On day 45, her absolute neutrophil count was 0 and her platelets had fallen to 45×109/L (45 000/mm3).