Effect on biochemical values of heat treatment of plasma for the safe handling of samples from AIDS patients.

There is widespread concern amongst laboratory workers over the risks of exposure to human T cell lymphotrophic virus III [HTLV III] and the possibility of the subsequent development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]. HTLV III is thermolabile and is completely inactivated by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min. We have studied the effect that such heating would have on analyses performed routinely in our laboratory.