In the first case since 1986, four organ transplant recipients at three Chicago-area hospitals have been infected with HIV and hepatitis C from a single donor, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. health officials say the organs came from a high-risk donor who most likely became infected a few weeks prior to the procedures. According to those investigating the incident, CDC guidelines were followed properly.
The test conducted prior to organ donation was done correctly, but came back negative. However, the test used is unable to detect very recent infections.
The organ transplants occured in January at three Chicago hospitals: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Rush University Medical Center and University of Chicago Medical Center.
An investigation is underway to see if the donor recipients infected anyone else.