Markers of viral hepatitis in haemophiliacs

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen [HbsAg] and anti-HCV IgG was determined in 100 persons with Haemophilia [PWH], registered with Haemophilia Patient Welfare Society [HPWS], Lahore Zone, Pakistan. The study shows that 4% were positive for HBsAg. However, there was a high level of anti-HCV seropositivity [56%] in our PWH, including many patients in younger age groups. When compared with figures from PWH in other regions of Asia like 23% in Western India, 33% in Sri Lanka and 1 5% of those in Iran, this figure is one of the highest. This rate is a reflection of the same rising trend in our population that is now exceeding 10%. The practice of unscreened blood/blood-products transfusions in the backdrop of high prevalence of HCV in our population is responsible for high figures seen in PWH. The need is to increase awareness amongst the patients, health care workers and policy makers about the transfusion associated viral infections in a group of patients who already had a hereditary disorder of severe nature

Diagnostic significance of red cell indices in beta-thalassaemia trait

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the formulae for the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia trait cases in settings where electrophoresis is not available. The study included 50 cases of beta-thalassaemia trait already diagnosed by Hb. electrophoresis. CBC samples were analyzed on Sysmex K4500 and red cell indices were used to evaluate formulae for differentiating betathalassaemia trait from iron deficiency anaemia. The formula MCV/RBC and MCH/RBC identified 56% of the cases. Formula MCV - [5 × Hb] - RBC - 8.4 identified 54% of beta-thalassemia trait cases. The formula [MCV × MCH/100] identified 92% of cases. RBC indices given by electronic counters can be used to differentiate iron deficiency anaemia from beta-thalassaemia trait at least provisionally in areas where Hb. electrophoresis is not available