Seroepidemiology of HBV infection in South-East of Iran; a population based study

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is a major risk factor of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma affecting billions of people globally. Since information on its prevalence in general population is mandatory for formulating effective policies, this population based serological survey was conducted in Sistan and Baluchistan, where no previous epidemiological data were available. Using random cluster sampling 3989 healthy subjects were selected from 9 districts of Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. The subjects' age ranged from 6 to 65 years old. Serum samples were tested for HBcAb, HBsAg. Screening tests were carried out by the third generation of ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. The prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb in Sistan and Baluchistan was 3.38% [95% CI 2.85; 3.98] and 23.58% [95% CI 22.29; 24.93] respectively. We found 8 cases of positive anti-HDV antibody. Predictors of HBsAg or HBcAb in multivariate analysis were age, marital status and addiction. The rate of HBV infection in Sistan and Baluchistan was higher than other parts of Iran. Approxi-mately 25% of general population in this province had previous exposure to HBV and 3% were HBsAg carriers. Intrafamilial and addiction were major routes of HBV transmission in this province

Malaria screening of blood donor in Zahedan

Transfusion transmitted malaria is an ever present risk in endemic areas and the real threat for blood safety. There is a need for an effective malaria screening program and development of donor deferral criteria for the country. We evaluated the potential usefulness of Elisa screening for malaria antibody and antigen, thick and thin blood film, and polymerase chain reaction [PCR] among Zahedan blood donors. A total number of 384 blood donors in Zahedan in 2009 were screened for malaria parasite by thick and thin blood film using giemsa staining technique, Elisa antibody and antigen test, and PCR. The overall malaria antibody prevalence was 4.7%. In blood donors living in endemic regions, where there were reports for local Malaria transmission, the rate was 7.9%. The results of all antigen test, thick and thin blood films, and PCR were negative. The present donor deferral system seems optimal at present; however, a small risk of transfusion transmitted malaria remains. In an endemic region like Sistan and Baluchestan the use of Elisa antibody test was an interesting alternative for the screening of blood donors

Occult hepatitis B virus infection among anti-HBc only positive individuals in the southeast of Iran in high prevalence of HBV icfection region

The persistence of HBV-DNA in the serum of hepatitis B surface antigen negative individuals with or without the presence of HBV antibodies is termed occult HBV infection. From April 2005 to November 2006, we evaluated 110 patients who had only a positive test for anti-HBc. Out of 110 anti-HBc positive samples, HBV-DNA was detected in three cases. Positive samples for HBV-DNA had a level normal of ALT. HBV-DNA can be detected among anti-HBc only positive samples. Therefore, further testing for detection of HBV-DNA is recommended on each anti-HBc only positive individual

Prevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HCV reactivity in donors embarking on direct blood donation and among first-time blood donors in Zahedan Blood Transfusion Center

Donors embarking on direct blood donation and first-time blood donors contribute to a significant proportion of the blood units collected in our center. However, there are some concerns on the safety of this kind of donation because of the possible existence of incentives for the donor to conceal deferrable risk factors, thus increasing the risk of donation within the window period of transfusion-transmitted infections. We tested the hypothesis that if donors for direct blood donation are less safe than other blood donors, the former would display a higher prevalence of viral markers. This descriptive analytic study was conducted on 7192 donor forms; this number of donors referred to Zahedan Blood Transfusion Service during 2002 [21 Nov]-2003 [19 Feb]. Then, the comparison was made among donors for direct blood donation, volunteer, first time, and regular blood donors. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS [version 10.5] and Chi-square test. Our study was conducted on 7192 donor forms. 6345 [88.2%] of the subjects were male, 3264 [45.4%] married, and 1511 [21%] above 30 years of age. Prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 2.3 times higher among first-time donors than repeat donors [p<.0001]. Prevalence of Anti-HCV reactivity was 1.5 times higher among first-time donors than repeat donors [p<.0001]. The rate of HBsAg positivity among donors embarking on direct blood donation was 2.4 times higher than volunteer blood donors [p<.0001], and the rate of Anti-HCV reactivity in the former was 2.4 times higher than in volunteer blood donors [p<.0001]. The age range higher than 30 was significant in the case of HBsAg positive and Anti-HCV reactive blood donors. Basesd on the above results, the contamination rate among donors for direct blood donation and first time donors was more than repeat and volunteer blood donors. This calls for an organized program and a better technique and strategy