Zeitschrift für Infektionskrankheiten und Therapie

Abstrakt

Transmission of Bloodborne Infections by Circumcision Procedure

Haider Abdul-Lateef Mousa

Male circumcision is surgical removal of the foreskin (prepuce) which covers the distal part of the penis. It is also performed for females in certain countries by partial or total removal of the external genitalia in order to inhibit sexual feelings. Male circumcision is well documented to have protective effect against HIV transmission. However, the male and female procedures carried a risk for bloodborne infections such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus. The use of unsterilized instruments is the main cause of disease transmission. Several reports from sub-Saharan Africa revealed that HIV infection could be transmitted during circumcision procedures for both male and female. Though the beneficial effects of male circumcision outweigh the risk of blood-borne infection.