Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis B virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Related Risk Factors Among Hemophilia and Thalassemia Patients in Iran

authors:

avatar Hamid Kalantari 1 , avatar Ahmad Mirzabaghi 2 , avatar Mojtaba Akbari 3 , avatar Zahra Shahshahan 4 , *

Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Isfahan Liver Disease research center, Isfahan, IR Iran
Resident, Department of Internal Medicine
Epidemiologist
Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases: Vol.6, issue 2; 0-0
article type: Research Article

how to cite: Kalantari H, Mirzabaghi A, Akbari M, Shahshahan Z. Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis B virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Related Risk Factors Among Hemophilia and Thalassemia Patients in Iran. Arch Clin Infect Dis. 2011;6(2): 0-0. 

Abstract

Objectives:

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.

Patients and Methods:

Present study was conducted from October 2008 to December 2010 in Isfahan, Iran. One thousand one hundred and sixty adult multi-transfused patients (822 males, 338 females, mean age 22.711.5 years) 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 Ag and Anti- HIV Ab. HCV positive patients underwent genotype determination.

Results:

Of 545 thalassemia patients, 312(57.2%) were male and 233 (42.8%) were female. From 615 hemophilia
patients, 511(83%) were male and 104 (17%) were female. Chronic hepatitis was detected in 505(82.1%) hemophilia patients of which 495 (98%) were HCV Ab positive and 10 (2%) had HBsAg positive. The prevalence of HCV Ab positive and HBsAg positive in 56 (11%) thalassemia patients with chronic hepatitis was 50 (89.2%) and 6 (10.8%) respectively. None of the thalassemia and hemophilia patients were positive for HIV Ab. History of hepatitis in family is the major risk factors and HCV genotype 1 was the major genotype in our patients.

Conclusion:

HCV is the major virus of concern in multi-transfused patients. The strategies for prevention of HCV, HBV and HIV and safety of blood products in this respect have indeed been successful.

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