Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and HIV Co-infection

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and HIV Co-infectionTo The Editor: Barchi et al. report a case of simultaneous pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infl uenza and HIV infection (1).We agree with the authors' conclusion that during infl uenza epidemics, consideration of alternative diagnoses, such as acute HIV infection, remains essential for patients who seek treatment for severe infl uenza-like illnesses.However, from our perspective, several points from this letter need additional clarifi cation.First, we recommend that the authors clarify whether the positive HIV test results reported were for the hospitalized patient (as we suspect) or for the nurse who was exposed to the patient's urine.Occupationally acquired HIV infection in a health care provider after an ocular splash with urine has, to our knowledge, never been reported and, if these test results are for the worker, would represent a novel source of transmission.Precision with respect to the source of these samples and results is critical to reader understanding.Additionally, the reported negative Western blot results demonstrated p24 and p41 bands; this test result would be considered positive by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-endorsed interpretive criteria (i.e., Western blot positivity equates to presence of any 2 of the following 3 bands: p24, p41, and gp120/160) (2).Thus, the negative Western blot result interpretation, even if caused by different local interpretive criteria, deserves further explanation.