فهرست مطالب mahtabmaghsudlu

Serological studies can demonstrate pathogen circulation in regional populations and reflect public health measures’ effectiveness during different pandemic phases. By late November 2021, coinciding with the third pandemic wave, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies among the Iranian population was 32.63%.

This study aimed to assess the Iranian population’s seroprevalence during the fifth pandemic wave by analyzing donated blood samples.

This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian blood donors referred to all 31 main provincial capitals between August 2021 and September 2021. The participants selected through quota sampling were asked to complete a questionnaire on socio-demographics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related information. Also, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies were measured in serum samples using SARS-CoV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The seroprevalence was weighted based on the gender and age groups of the population and then adjusted for test performance.

Totally 3,339 blood donors participated in this study. The overall population-weighted seroprevalence adjusted for test performance was 52.67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.14 - 55.21). Seroprevalence was higher among participants with a high school diploma (55.45%, 95% CI 50.61 - 60.29), a positive history of close contact with COVID-19 patients (65.23%, 95% CI 60.83 - 69.63), and previous positive COVID-19 PCR tests (86.51%, 95% CI 82.32 - 90.7).

More than half of the study population was exposed to SARS-CoV-2, indicating a 1.7-fold increase in the seroprevalence between late November 2020 and mid-September 2021. Our finding illuminated the pattern of Iran’s fifth wave of the pandemic.

An analysis of red blood cell alloimmunization in patients with thalassemia can help to devise specific strategies to decrease the alloimmunization rate. This study explored the frequency and specificity of alloantibodies and autoantibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens in patients with thalassemia referring to the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) in Tehran.

This study first examined the laboratory records of 23,113 patients suffering from different diseases referring to IBTO’s IRL for pretransfusion testing in the 2008-2015 period. ABO and Rh(D) typing and antibody screening tests were performed for all 23,113 patient records and 685 (2.97%) beta-thalassemia patients with positive pre-transfusion test results (antibody screening and/or DAT) were selected for further investigation.

The antibody screening test was positive in 640 out of 685 thalassemic patients (93.4%). DAT was performed for 529 patients, 226 (33%) of which showed positive results. Meanwhile, 161 out of 685 beta-thalassemia patients (23.5%) had positive auto control test results, reflecting the possible presence of allo- and/or autoantibodies. The most common antigen-specific alloantibodies were directed against K and E RBC antigens with a frequency of 25% (Anti-K) and 11.91% (Anti-E), respectively. The development of two antibodies (double antibodies) in one patient was observed in 80 individuals (11.46%).

Age, gender, history of pregnancy, and splenectomy were not contributing factors to the antibody presence in the patient population under study. Extended red blood cell phenotyping should be considered as an essential procedure for expected multi-transfused thalassemia patients before blood transfusion. Considering the high frequency of anti-K and anti-E observed in this study, it is recommended that thalassemia patients in Iran are tested through phenotyping of RBC units for K and E antigens before transfusion.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases. Transmission of HCV, as a blood-borne virus, is a major concern for the safety of blood products. In Iran, intravenous drug abuse is a major risk factor for HCV transmission. Recently a change in the distribution of HCV genotype among Iranian blood donors has been reported, and genotype 3a is reported as the most frequent genotype. Also, genotype 3a is the dominant genotype among IDUs.

To investigate the association between HCV genotype 3a circulating in the community, sequences of HCV genotype 3a were analyzed among different risk groups in Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, a partial sequence of the NS5B region of the HCV genome was isolated from 58 blood donors, 48 intravenous drug users (IDUs), and 31 patients with inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) infected with HCV genotype 3a were included. The published sequence data were obtained from the Gen Bank database and were compared to construct the phylogenetic trees.

Of 58 blood donors infected with subtype 3a, 31 (53.5%) reported the risk of intravenous drug abuse. In the phylogenetic tree, no separate cluster was formed to differentiate between HCV sequences in blood donors and IDUs. A cluster at the middle level was found in the phylogenetic tree formed by sequences from blood donors, IDUs, and patients with inherited bleeding disorders.

The phylogenetic tree showed the phylogenetic mixing of genotype 3a sequences in BDs, IBD patients, and IDUs. The results confirmed the extensive transmission of IDU-related genotype 3a towards the general population.

Irradiation leads to increased storage lesions that may have harmful effects if transfused. Various storage lesions research has been carried out, and only very few articles are available on the impact of gamma irradiation on RBC storage lesions. Since there has been no study about finding the best time for irradiation, we decided to investigate the effect of irradiation on Red blood cells at different storage times after blood collection

A total of 40 units of red blood cells divided into two groups: irradiated and non-irradiated. Irradiated RBCs were divided into three groups, each containing ten units. The remaining ten units were considered as non-irradiated controls. Sampling from these irradiated and non-irradiated blood units was performed weekly to evaluate biochemical parameters and free plasma hemoglobin/Hemolysis index levels.

A significant increase in the mean values of plasma potassium, plasma Hb/Hemolysis index, and LDH, as well as a significant reduction in the mean value of 2,3 DPG and plasma sodium, were observed in both groups. Although the reduction of 2,3 DPG is extremely remarkable, it is compensated 24-48 hours after transfusion. Hence, the clinical result of 2,3-DPG-depleted RBC transfusion is known to be negligible. The irradiation group alteration was more notable than the non-irradiated one and the changes in the parameters were most significant in the group that was stored for a longer period after irradiation.

The investigation on the impact of gamma irradiation on RBCs makes it possible to suggest a storage time up to 28 days after irradiation and the best time for irradiation after blood collection is up to 14 days. It is pointed out that the blood unit should be transfused as soon as possible after the irradiation

 Eliminating high-risk individuals has a special role in ensuring blood safety. Due to epidemiological, demographic, and even cultural changes in each country, this process should be continuously evaluated and reviewed, if necessary.

 This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the current donor selection procedure on blood safety in Iran.

 A total of 2,525 high-risk deferred donors who were referred between 2018 and 2019 were evaluated regarding hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus antibody, and human immunodeficiency virus antigen and antibody. All repeatedly reactive samples were evaluated by confirmatory tests. Characteristics' parameters, donor status, and TTI marker rates of the participants and 1,315,871 eligible donors in the indicated period obtained from the national database on blood donors, were compared. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0.

 The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in 100,000 deferred donors was 1148, 515, and 119, respectively. This prevalence was 26, 28, and 33-times higher than the eligible donors, respectively. Unlike HBV, its prevalence among males was almost twice that of females among the deferred group. In the eligible group, females had a higher prevalence for HBV and HCV as compared to males. The HCV and HBV (6.7 and 4.3-fold) among deferred first-time donors had a significantly higher prevalence compared with the eligible first-time donors (P‐value < 001). Notably, the higher was the education degree, the lower was the prevalence of infection in both groups.

 Current deferral criteria and donor selection procedure in Iran are an opportunity to eliminate high-risk individuals from the blood donation.

 In December 2019, a new coronavirus appeared in China, as a cause of acute respiratory disease. Healthcare Workers (HCWs) in children's hospitals are one of the groups who are at a high rate of exposure to COVID-19 patients. The detection of antibodies is useful and helps diagnose late or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most children may present with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and can be silent sources of infection in the community and hospitals.

 This study was conducted to determine the antibodies (IgM and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 in Mofid children's hospital staff.

 This cross-sectional study evaluated 475 staff from Mofid children's hospital from April 20 to May 5, 2020, in Tehran. We collected blood samples for the antibody assay with a rapid test kit. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical data.

 Of 475 staff who participated in this study, 25 (5.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and/or CT scan. Besides, 140 (29.4%) of them were positive for IgM and/or IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

 The seropositivity of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among children's hospital staff was higher than expected. Approximately 5% of the participants were diagnosed as definitive positive COVID-19 cases by PCR and/or CT scan, but 29.4% of them were seropositive. The difference is a warning, as it shows seropositive people could be silent sources of transmission during asymptomatic infection.

With the identification of blood donors with a subsequent positive result in HCV screening and the possibility of HCV transmission via their previous negative donations, the role of look-back investigation has been crucial in enhancing blood safety. A retrospective study was conducted to identify the fate of blood components from donors subsequently found to be confirmed HCV positive cases with previous negative donations.

This look-back study aimed to determine the transfusion-induced hepatitis C virus infection through previous HCVnegative donations of subsequent HCV positive blood donors in Iran.

In this study, all serologically confirmed HCV positive blood donors across the country from December 2015 to June 2017 were included. A look-back process was conducted by tracing back previous HCV negative donations of subsequent HCV-positive blood donors to specific recipients, according to the IBTO instructions. The HCV RNA testing was carried out using an in-house onestep TaqMan real-time RT-PCR assay.

During the study period, 280 serologically confirmed HCV-positive blood donors were included, with 267 as first-time, nine as repeated, and three as regular donors. Of the participants, the first-time donors were excluded, the repeated donors were not eligible, and only the regular donors were selected for the look-back study. The HCV RNA was detected in one regular donor, but HCV infection was not detected in his previous donation recipient. In addition, more than two HCV risk factors were reported by each regular blood donor.

According to the results, evidence of HCV transmission via previous blood transfusions and the risk of HCV infection was not observed among recipients. Due to the reporting of some HCV risk factors by the subjects, paying proper attention to the donor selection process is highly recommended.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia is described as persistent HCV RNA among HCV exposed individuals. HCV viremic rate is defined as the proportion of anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA positive individuals to total anti-HCV positive individuals. Knowledge about HCV viremic rate increases understanding HCV epidemiology and provides the likelihood of HCV viremia infection in a given population. The aim of this study was to evaluate HCV viremic rate and demographic parameter correlations among HCV confirmed Iranian blood donors. In this analytical, cross-sectional study, serologically confirmed HCV positive blood donors, who were referred to the Iranian blood transfusion centers around the country from November 2015 to September 2017, were included. HCV RNA RT-PCR was carried out by an in-house qualitative assay. Penalized logistic regression was performed for data analysis. STATA software version 13 was used for statistical analysis. Out of 239 subjects, HCV RNA was amplified in 161 (67.36%, 95% CI 61.21% -73.51%). No statistical associations were found between age, gender, education and marriage status with HCV viremic rate. First time donation was found to be associated with HCV viremia status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.26; 95% CI 1.07–9.87). The results of this study show the likelihood of active HCV infection occurrence among HCV confirmed Iranian blood donors, as the majority are in the active phase of HCV infection. The viremic rate was associated with first time donation. More effective donor selection process and paying special attention to maintenance of non-infected first time donors as a resource of regular donations are needed to improve blood safety. Follow-up studies on viremic first time blood donors are recommended to clarify impact of factors on the occurrence of HCV viremia.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus and the leading cause of advanced hepatitis disease. HCV genotype 3a is predominant among Iranian blood donors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HCV genotype and HCV viral load.  

In this analytical cross-sectional study 106 anti-HCV positive and HCV RNA positive blood donors referred to Iranian blood centers across the county were entered. HCV viral loads were determined by an in-house one step Taq Man Real-Time RT-PCR assay. Penalized logistic regression was performed for data analysis. STATA software version 13 was used for statistical analysis.

The mean age was 37.94 ± 9.04 years ranged from 19 to 58 years. Male gender included 104 (98.1%) of subjects. 31, 10 and 65 subjects were infected with genotypes1a, 1b, and 3a, respectively. The mean viral load was 1.44 × 106 ± 4.5× 105 IU/ml. HCV viral load was not significantly different among subjects infected with HCV genotypes 1, 1.49 × 10 6  ± 4.57 × 10 6 IU/ml compare to genotype 3, 1.40 × 10 6  ± 5.58 4.58 × 106 IU/ml (p=0.93).

Although not significant, the frequency of subjects with high viral load (> 800,000 IU/ml) was higher in subjects infected with genotype 3 than those of genotype 1. No associations were found between demographic characteristics and HCV genotype. Although the study was unable to find any association between HCV genotype and HCV viral load/ HCV viral load group, it highlighted the role of high viral load in the high circulation of HCV genotype 3a among Iranian blood donors.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus and the major cause of liver diseases worldwide. Distribution of HCV genotypes varies depending on geographical regions and routes of infection. Knowledge regarding the distribution of HCV genotypes and related risk factors plays an essential role in the control of HCV infection in the community. The current study aimed at determining the current distribution of HCV genotypes and related risk factors among Iranian blood donors. In the current analytical, cross sectional study, 106 HCV-infected blood donors with detectable HCV RNA over the country were interviewed by trained physicians through a post-donation questionnaire on demographic, medical, and risk history from November 2015 to May 2017. The hepatitis C virus genotype was determined by sequencing of a segment of non-structural 5B region in HCV genome. Penalized logistic regression model was used for statistical analysis through STATA software. Hepatitis C virus genotype was determined in all subjects, and the genotype 3a was the most frequent (65, 61.32%), followed by 1a (31, 29.25%), and 1b (10, 8.49%). Based on the multivariable analysis results, tattooing (adjusted odds ratio: 2.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.03 - 7.37) was associated with HCV genotype 3a. According to the results, it seems that changes in molecular epidemiology of HCV infection and replacement of HCV genotype 1a with 3a, characterized by an increase in genotype 3a and decrease in genotype 1a have occurred over the last decade among Iranian blood donors. Tattooing was an independent risk factor for HCV infection by genotype 3a.

Thalassemia is a common genetic disease in Iran and is most prevalent in northern and southern parts of the country.

Due to vulnerable metabolic organs of thalassemia patients, the present study was conducted to examine the relationship between Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and thyroid hormones along with some other variables.

A total of 5491 (2647 males and 2634 females) cases were studied in Tehran (the capital of Iran), Sari (in northern Iran), Bandar Abbas, Iranshahr, and Zahedan (in southern Iran). The mean age ± standard deviation of the patients was 24.22 ± 12.7 years (24.4 ± 0.23 in both male and female patients).

Based on the results, 30.6% of the patients had lumbar osteoporosis, 39.0% had lumbar osteopenia, 8.6% had femoral neck osteoporosis, and 40.4% had femoral neck osteopenia. Although thyroid hormones did not correlate with osteoporosis, greater changes were observed in these hormones in patients with thalassemia major than in other patients

Reducing the risk of transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) is one of the main concerns of blood transfusion systems. Evaluation of HCV risk factors in HCV infected blood donors is critical for donor selection and ensuring blood safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate known and putative risk factors of HCV infection in Iranian blood donors. This matched case-control study was conducted on serologically confirmed HCV positive blood donors (cases) and serologically negative HCV blood donors came back to Iranian Blood Transfusion centers over the country from November 2015 to May 2017. Cases and controls were matched by donation status and interviewed for demographic, medical, and risk histories. Penalized conditional logistic regression model with backward selection method was used in data analysis. STATA software version 13 was used for statistical analysis. A total of 271 cases and 794 controls were interviewed. Age (AOR (5 year), 1.27; 1.13 - 1.42), intravenous drug abuse (AOR, 24.89; 10.2 - 60.82), religious self-flagellation (AOR, 7.02; 2.02 - 24.4), non-injecting drug abuse (AOR, 6.13; 2.49 - 15.13), history of blood transfusion (AOR, 5.22; 1.52 - 17.92), imprisonment (AOR, 4.81; 2.43 - 9.53), sharing personal razor (AOR, 4.55; 1.45 - 14.28), tattooing (AOR, 4.46; 2.37 - 8.38), extramarital sexual activity (AOR, 2.88; 1.40 - 5.87), cupping in outpatient place (AOR, 2.44; 1.08 - 5.52), tooth extraction (AOR, 2.35; 1.46 - 3.78), surgery (AOR, 1.98; 1.22 - 3.21), and intramuscular injection (AOR, 1.68; 1.06 - 2.68) found to be current independent risk factors for HCV infection demonstrated in 98.52% of cases. This is the first study to perform penalized conditional logistic regression model in data analyzing to control some statistical bias in the evaluation of HCV risk factors among Iranian blood donors. According to the results, intravenous drug abuse is a primary HCV risk factor. In addition, the study emphasizes on the role of other high-risk behaviors such as religious self-flagellation and high-risk procedures such as cupping in outpatient place in HCV transmission. Increasing donor education regarding HCV risk factors and more accurate donor selection needs to improve blood safety and protect recipients from potential HCV infection risk

  The aim of this study was to investigate the intra-familial transmission of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Golestan province, that has the highest prevalence of CHB in Iran. The Golestan Cohort Study (GCS) is a population-based prospective study of 50045 individuals, 40 years or older, initially set-up to study upper GI cancers in Northern Iran. In 2008, a baseline measurement of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on the stored serum of all GCS participants identified 3505 HBsAg+ individuals. In 2011, we assessed HBV serological markers in 2590 initially HBsAg+ individuals and their first-degree relatives including spouses (1454) and children (3934). The median (IQR) age of spouses and children were 52 (12) and 25 (12) years respectively. Out of 5388 family members, 2393 (44.5%) had no HBV markers, indicating susceptibility to infection. Of these, 378 (15.8%) were fully-vaccinated children with no apparent response to primary immunization. HBsAg was positive in 2.2% (n = 33) of spouses and 8.2% (n = 325) of children (overall rate of 6.6%). HBcAb was positive in 761 (52.3%) and 914 (23%) spouses and children, respectively. The rate of spontaneous loss of HBsAg (HBsAg-, HBsAb+ and HbcAb+) was 41.3% and 13.9% in spouses and children, respectively. A higher rate of HBsAg+ children (10.2%) was found in families in which the mother was positive for HBsAg compared with families where the father was positive for HBsAg (6.3%) (P < 0.001). When both parents were positive for HBsAg, the rate of HBsAg positivity was high (23.5%, P < 0.001). Despite high virus exposure rates between spouses (52.6 %), the prevalence of HBsAg positivity among them was very low (2.3 %). Sexual and parent-to-child transmission are important routes of CHB spread in this population from northern Iran despite the fact that 24 years have passed since the beginning of hepatitis B vaccination in infants. Low percentage of HBsAg positivity in spouses is related to high HBsAg clearance rate among them

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common orthopedic surgery. The main focus in the research of THA is immune responses in these patients following the blood transfusion.Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the immune modulation indexes such as T cell amplification, Tcell surface markers and also production of cytokines in the patients undergoing THA surgery following blood transfusion.
A total of 30 patients referred to Imam Hussein Hospital for THA surgery were included in the study between May 2015 to May 2016. Transfusions of 500 ml allogeneic red blood were done during and immediately after recovery of THA operation. Along with pre- and post-operation, immune modulatory effects of transfusion, including proliferation of T lymphocyte, secretion of T cell cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin(IL)-4 and expression of T lymphocyte surface markers such as human leukocyte antigen D related (HLA-DR) and CD25 were evaluated.
Blood transfusion induced the expression of CD25 and HLA-DR markers in the THA patients. Blood transfusion also increased the secretion of IL-4 in post-operative stages in the THA patients. Results showed the increased IL-4 levels after blood transfusion. Whereas the levels of secretion in INF- γ were decreased after blood transfusion.
Allogeneic blood transfusion in the patients with the THA induced a cascade of immune and inflammatory responses, including increasing in T cell amplification and change in the secretion of interleukins that causes a modulation of immune responses. Further investigations should be performed to verify this hypothesis.

Malaria is the most important transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) in worldwide after viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The main objective of the present study was to review and evaluate the transmission of malaria via blood transfusion in Iran.
A literature search was done without time limitation in the electronic databases as follows: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, scientific information database (SID), Magiran, IranMedex and Irandoc. The searches were limited to the published papers to English and Persian languages.
Six papers were eligible. From 1963 to 1983, 344 cases of Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) had been reported from different provinces of Iran. The most prevalent species of involved Plasmodium in investigated cases of TTM was Plasmodium malariae (79.24%). The screening results of 1,135 blood donors for malaria were negative by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) methods.
Lack of TTM report from Iran in the last three decades indicates that the screening of blood donors through interviewing (donor selection) may be effective in the prevention of the occurrence of transfusion-transmitted malaria.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most important health problems worldwide with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. It is a major risk factor for cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, Iran is located in the intermediate HBV zone; however, recent studies have provided some evidence indicating an epidemiological change in the country. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV in Iran. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the studies performed in the past 25 years that have reported the prevalence of HBV infection and its associated factors in the Iranian general population (1990-2014). Any study assessing and reporting serum Hbs Ag levels was included in this review. After excluding all impertinent studies, 19 eligible studies were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of HBV was 3% (95% CI 2% to 3%). Its distribution showed that the prevalence of HBV varies in different provinces from 0.87% to 8.86%. The HBV rate was highest in the Golestan (8.86%) and lowest in the Kurdistan (0.87%) provinces. This study provides some evidence about the prevalence of HBV in Iran. However, the collected data was very heterogenic, even within a single province, which made it hard to estimate a single-point prevalence. High quality studies are needed to find reliable information about HBV prevalence and to decrease the heterogeneity of results in the country.

Donor selection is still being emphasized, even in the era of sensitive laboratory screening. Therefore, a number of volunteers are deferred from blood donation. This study evaluated the deferral rate in Iran, as well as the frequency of each reason in order to monitor the impact of donor selection process on donor loss. This study was carried out on data of all volunteers who were deferred from blood donation in Isfahan Blood Transfusion Services between the years 2007 – 2008. The deferral reasons were then classified into “donor safety” and “recipient safety”. The total deferral rates within sociodemographic variables and donor status were compared. Then, the rates of various specific deferral reasons were calculated. Out of 197,757 blood donor volunteers, 50,727 (25.6 %) were deferred from donation; 88.6 % were temporarily deferred whereas 11.4 % were permanently deferred. The deferral rate for females and males was 54.6 % and 24.3 %, respectively. Forty-three percent of the first-time donors, 9 % of the lapsed donors, and 11.9 % of the regular donors were deferred. Sixty-one percent of all deferrals were due to donors'' safety while 31 % were deferred due to recipients’ safety. Blood donors'' deferral rate in Iran was significantly higher than other countries. This may be due to special attention to donor selection procedures. However, revision of the national criteria of donor selection and rigorous adherence to these criteria should be considered. Also, it is emphasized to improve the blood donor retention strategies to boost the regular blood donors’ pool.

Iron deficiency and its related anemia, which is the world’s most widespread nutritional deficiency, can be one of the possible consequences of regular blood donation. This research was carried out to compare iron stores in regular blood donors and first-time blood donors in Tehran Regional Blood Transfusion Center. This study was carried out on 2,149 male blood donors, who were divided into two groups of regular and first-time blood donors. Blood samples were analyzed for red blood cell parameters, serum iron and ferritin, and total iron binding capacity. The results showed that iron depletion was more common in regular blood donors than in first-time donors. Eleven percent of regular blood donors and 0.8% of first-time blood donors had iron deficiency. Of regular donors, 4.2% suffered from iron deficiency and 2.5% suffered from iron depletion anemia while there was no case of iron deficiency or anemia in first-time donors. Difference between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.01). According to the results, 8.9% of regular donors donated more than 4 times during last two years suffered from iron deficiency. Regular blood donation seems to have an impact on the iron stores of blood donors. However, the prevalence of iron deficiency in Iranian blood donors is lower than donors in other countries. We recommend an annual investigation of iron stores be carried out for blood donors who have given blood more than twice a year.

In older studies، the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus infection has been reported to be over 95% in Iranians. Most of these studies were performed on volunteer blood donors. Studies on the general population are sparse. The purpose of this study was to determine the current seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in the general population of Iran. During 2006، 1869 subjects between 18 and 65 years of age were randomly selected from the general population of three Iranian provinces (Tehran، Golestan، and Hormozgan). Subjects were interviewed and a plasma sample was obtained for serologic testing for anti- hepatitis A virus. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors. The seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in Tehran، Golestan and Hormozgan was 85%، 99%، and 96%، respectively. The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in the general population of the three provinces studied was 86% and did not differ between the two genders. The prevalence in younger subjects and in urban populations was under 70%. In multivariate analysis، older age، being married، and level of the father’s education was associated with hepatitis A virus seropositivity. The seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus still appears to be too elevated for recommending routine vaccination in the general population. However، the trend towards a lower prevalence in younger age groups and people from urban areas points towards the possible benefit of vaccination in these subgroups.

An increased tendency for the blood to clot is referred to as the hypercoagulable state or thrombophilia which includes various inherited and acquired clinical disorders or mixed conditions. There are many studies suggesting that elevated factor VIII may be a common and independent risk factor for thrombotic events. We tried to assess the level of factor VIII in patients with idiopathic thrombosis. Materials and Methods Our cases were the patients with idiopathic venous thrombosis having referred for hypercoagulable studies to Coagulation Lab in Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. The inclusion criterion was the occurrence of thrombotic event confirmed by objective diagnostic methods coupled with three months of follow-up without any other disorder. Our controls were from healthy blood donors and matched with the cases on sex, ethnicity, and age. Plasma of a healthy person was used to establish the normal reference range according to which our patients are compared. Factor VIII levels were measured using a one-staged assay, the PTT based Diagonistica Stago on the STA compact automated coagulation factor analyzer. SPSS and Chi-square were finally used for data analysis. Results One hundred fifty two cases and 130 controls enrolled. The mean factor VIII level for cases was 157.26 IU/dl (SD±53.8) with the minimum level of 66 and maximum of 364 IU/dl. For controls, the mean factor VIII level was 111.78 IU/dl (SD± 29.68) with the minimum level of 42 and the maximum of 195 IU/dl. These levels were statistically significant and higher in the case group. The elevated FVIII level was higher in females than males (35.3% vs 23.8%) and increased with age. The normal range in the control group varied within 52-171 IU/dl, which is higher than the normal level of 50-150 IU/dl. Conclusions There are many studies showing that increased FVIII level may be an independent risk factor for thrombosis. Our results suggested elevated FVIII level in 28.9% of the patients with thrombosis compared to 3.1% in the control group. So, factor VIII measurement is recommended to be practiced in routine thrombophilia screening programs