"Gay bashing" as possible risk for HIV infection.

SiR,—Transmission of HIV is primarily through intimate sexual contact with an infected individual or contact with infected blood via shared needles among intravenous drug users, occupational exposure to contaminated "sharps", or transfusions with contaminated blood products, for example. We present a case of possible HIV infection via a previously undescribed route. A 49-year-old heterosexual male was referred for evaluation of HIV seropositivity found on screening during a routine application for life insurance. A repeat ELISA and subsequent western blot were both reactive for HIV. The patient had been married for over 25 years and had three children. His wife’s serum was non-reactive for HIV antibody. He denied ever having sex with a man, nor with