CDC identifies first cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles | United States | people contract HIV | spa

Article translated and adapted from English, originally published by the American headquarters of the Epoch Times.

Several people contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through cosmetic needles after receiving facials at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Three women who received platelet-rich plasma (PRP) microneedling facials, also known as vampire facials, at the spa contracted HIV and an investigation found facials to be a method of transmission. new study of State and CDC scientists.

The spa in question, VIP Salonnow closed, was dubbed spa A in the newspaper.

“This investigation is the first to link HIV transmission to non-sterile cosmetic injection services. A common exposure among customers of the Spa A who did not have behaviors associated with HIV acquisition helped to identify a possible association of clusters [ou seja, através de uma técnica chamada Clustering, foi encontrado um padrão comum entre os clientes] and analysis of additional data suggested that HIV transmission likely occurred through receipt of PRP with facial microneedling procedures,” said the scientists, who worked with New Mexico Health Authorities.

The source of the contamination remains unknown.

PRP microneedling facial treatments involve drawing blood from a person and separating the PRP. Then, a microneedle makes holes in the person’s skin and PRP is applied to the holes.

New Mexico authorities announced in 2019 that they were investigating VIP Spa after people contracted HIV following visits to the spa. Authorities were offering free testing to anyone receiving treatments, including microneedling facials.

An inspection by authorities led to the closure of VIP Spa after unsafe practices were identified.

Maria de Lourdes Ramos de Ruiz, the spa’s former owner, was later charged with crimes including practicing medicine without a license. She pleaded guilty in 2022 to five charges.

“This is a warning to those who put profit above the health and safety of New Mexico consumers. I remain very concerned that these procedures are not being regulated at the state and federal levels,” New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas said at the time.

Investigation

New Mexico officials previously described two cases of HIV among spa patrons. A broader investigation identified additional patients, state and CDC scientists said in the new paper.

Through calls, inquiries and other methods, authorities found five people with HIV, four of whom received microneedling at the spa in 2018. The fifth had sexual relations with a spa client. Analysis of the patients’ blood showed that their cases were all related to the Spa.

The cases involving men and women in a sexual relationship were stage 3 or chronic HIV, which suggests “that their infections were likely attributed to exposures before receiving cosmetic injection services,” according to the scientists.

But no alternative explanations for the infections were discovered among the other three female patients.

“The other three patients in this group had no known social contact with each other and no specific mechanism of transmission between these patients has been confirmed,” the scientists said. “Evidence suggests that contamination from an undetermined source at the spa during the spring and summer of 2018 resulted in the transmission of HIV-1 to these three patients.”

HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated. Symptoms include sore throat, fatigue and mouth ulcers. Most people who contract the disease are gay or bisexual. Although there is no cure for HIV, it can be controlled through available treatments.

Nearly 200 other spa clients and their sexual partners have been tested through 2023 as part of the investigation, but none have tested positive for HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, according to the newspaper.

The findings highlight the importance of looking for “new sources of HIV transmission among people without known HIV risk factors,” the scientists said.

They also encouraged facilities to implement infection control practices to try to prevent the transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

Inspection results

When the spa was inspected in 2018, authorities found concerning practices.

On the kitchen counter, for example, there was a centrifuge, a heated dry bath, and a shelf of unlabeled tubes filled with blood.

In a refrigerator where food was stored, authorities found unlabeled tubes of blood, as well as medical injectables such as Botox.

The unpackaged syringes were located in various places, including in drawers.

There was no steam sterilizer, and some items intended to be discarded were cleaned and reused by spa employees, officials said.

The investigation was hampered by disorganized records, including the lack of an appointment scheduling system, according to the newspaper. These systems often include customer contact information. Investigators combed through handwritten records and other documents to identify people who may have undergone the microneedling procedure.

“Incomplete spa client records posed a substantial challenge during this investigation, necessitating a large-scale outreach approach to identify potential cases rather than direct communication with all clients,” the researchers said. “Requiring customer record keeping so that it is possible to ensure adequate tracking by regulated companies providing injection services could ensure the appropriate status to conduct tracking.”

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