Hepatits C and B in Blood Transfusion Recipients Indentified at Isfahan Province

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among hemophilia and thalassemia patients.

This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2008 to December 2010 in Isfahan, Iran. 1160 adult multi-transfused patients suffering from beta-thalassemia (n = 545) and hemophilia (n = 615) were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were obtained from the patients and were tested for HBs Ag, Anti-HCV Ab and Anti- HIV Ab. Patients with HCV positive underwent genotype determination.

822 males and 338 females (mean age 22.7 ± 11.5 years, range 1-76 years) were investigated in this study.312 males (57.2%) and 233 (42.8%) females had thalassemia. 511 (83%) males and 104 (17%) females were in hemophilia group. Of the 505 (82.1%) persons with chronic hepatitis in hemophilia patients, 495 (98%) patients were HCV antibody positive and 10 (2%) patients had HBs positive. There were 56 (11%) patients with chronic hepatitis in patients with thalassemia. Of them, 50 (89.2%) patients were HCV antibody positive and 6 (10.8%) patients had HBs positive. None of the thalassemia and hemophilia patients was positive for HIV Ab. HCV genotype 1 was the major genotype among patients.

HCV is a major virus of concern in the multi-transfused patients. The strategies for prevention of HBV and safety of blood products in this respect have indeed been successful. Family History of hepatitis is the major risk factors among patients.