ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among thalassemia patients in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 thatassemia patients referred to the Research Center of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy [RCTH] of Ahvaz Shafa Hospital during March 2006 to April 2007. Demographic data were obtained from the patient files at the hospital. Serum specimens were tested with anti-HCV assays and a nested-PCR technique to assess HCV infection. Out of 206 patients, 97 [47.1%] and 109 [52.9%] were male and female, respectively, with a mean +/- SD age of 16.4 +/- 6.42 years. The overall prevalence rate of anti-HCV was 28.1% [58/ 206, 95% CI: 22.4-34.6]. Forty six of anti-HCV positive patients [46/58, 79.3%] were also HCV RNA positive. HCV-positive patients were significantly older from HCV-negative ones [p<0.001]. In addition, the results indicate that higher prevalence of anti-HCV or HCV RNA were significantly associated with longer duration of transfusion [p<0.003 and p<0.001, respectively]. Although it seems blood donor screening project reduced HCV infection, using more accurate technique is necessary in order to find viral infection and treat thalassemia patients with HCV infection more carefully