To estimate the prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to delta virus (anti-DV).Cross-sectional (prevalence) study. A non-proportional (stratified by length of stay) random sample of 20% of admitted patients was selected.The Hospital Psiquiátrico Nuestra Señora de Montserrat (Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain) admits about 670 patients in its short-term, rehabilitation (mid-term) and long-term wards.139 patients were selected: 91% were males, mean age was 55 years, and 10% belonged to an HIV risk group; mean length of hospitalization since last discharge was 13 years.Blood samples were drawn in October, 1988. Anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-DV were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Anti-HIV-1 were determined by sandwich EIA; negativity of results with high absorbency but below the cut-off point was confirmed by Western blot.None of the sampled patients had circulating anti-HIV-1 antibodies. Four cases showing high absorbency (below the "cut-off" point) were ruled out by Western-blot. Overall, the prevalence of anti-HBc was 52.8% (54.4% in long-term wards, 35.0% in mid-term wards, and 13.8% in short-term wards). The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.3%, of anti-DV 1.5%, and of HDAg 0%.Prevalence of anti-HIV is null in the studied institution. Current efforts to prevent HIV infection must continue; a hepatitis B vaccination program is highly warranted among patients and professionals of the studied hospital.

OBJECTIVES:To estimate the prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to delta virus (anti-DV).DESIGN:Cross-sectional (prevalence) study. A non-proportional (stratified by length of stay) random sample of 20% of admitted patients was selected.CLINICAL SETTING:The Hospital Psiquiátrico Nuestra Señora de Montserrat (Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain) admits about 670 patients in its short-term, rehabilitation (mid-term) and long-term wards.SUBJECTS:139 patients were selected: 91% were males, mean age was 55 years, and 10% belonged to an HIV risk group; mean length of hospitalization since last discharge was 13 years.MEASUREMENTS:Blood samples were drawn in October, 1988. Anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-DV were determined by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Anti-HIV-1 were determined by sandwich EIA; negativity of results with high absorbency but below the cut-off point was confirmed by Western blot.RESULTS:None of the sampled patients had circulating anti-HIV-1 antibodies. Four cases showing high absorbency (below the "cut-off" point) were ruled out by Western-blot. Overall, the prevalence of anti-HBc was 52.8% (54.4% in long-term wards, 35.0% in mid-term wards, and 13.8% in short-term wards). The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.3%, of anti-DV 1.5%, and of HDAg 0%.CONCLUSIONS:Prevalence of anti-HIV is null in the studied institution. Current efforts to prevent HIV infection must continue; a hepatitis B vaccination program is highly warranted among patients and professionals of the studied hospital.

The clinical features and prognostic factors influencing survival in 73 patients diagnosed of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) from June 1984 to November 1988 were evaluated. Mean age was 32 years. The predominant risk group were drug abusers (67%). The most common opportunistic infections were extrapulmonary tuberculosis and esophageal candidiasis. After 6 months, with 42 patients followed up, the probability of survival was 69% +/- 11 (95% confidence interval); after 12 months, with 28 patients, it was 65% +/- 12 (95% confidence interval); and after 18 months, with 11 patients, it was 54% +/- 15 (95% confidence interval). Patients younger than 30 years and those with extrapulmonary tuberculosis had a longer survival than the rest (p = 0.046 and p = 0.014, respectively). The remaining evaluated variables did not have any influence on survival.