Human bite and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) transmission

Abstract

Background: The concentration of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) in the saliva of a carrier is low. As a result, human bite is not considered the traditional route of HIV infection transmission. Aim: To report a case of HIV sero-positivity following a human bite. Setting: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Case report: A 30-year-old HIV sero-negative woman who became sero-positive following a bite by a known HIV infected commercial sex worker is presented. Both were engaged in a physical fight over a disagreement. Conclusion: This case highlights the possibility of HIV infection through human bite. Keywords: Human bite, Saliva, Transmission, Human immune deficiency virus Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (1) 2007: pp. 88-8