RESUMO
Objective: To determine the frequency of beta thalassemia trait among the asymptomatic healthy individuals
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This was carried out at Pakistan Air Force [PAF] Hospital Lahore from Jan 2016 to Jun 2017
Patients and Methods: The subjects were both male and female who came from all over Pakistan for central medical board for selection in Pakistan Air Force. Their ages were between 18 and 28 years. Their complete blood counts were measured on Sysmex KX 21 hematology analyzer. Candidates with microcytic hypochromic indices without anaemia were screened for beta thalassemia trait. Haemoglobin [Hb] electrophoresis was done on cellulose acetate paper at alkaline PH. HbA2 estimation was done by measuring the absorbance of elute on spectrophotometer. Beta thalassemia was diagnosed if the subject had HbA2 more than 3.5 percent. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences [SPSS] software version 17
Results: A total of 2279 individual were enrolled in the study. Among them 2061 [90.4 percent] were males and 218 [9.6 percent] were females. Out of 2061 males, 91 [4.41 percent] were found to have beta thalassemia trait whereas among females only 6 [2.75 percent] out of 218 had beta thalassemia trait. The overall frequency of beta thalassemia trait was found to be 4.25 percent
Conclusion: The overall frequency of beta thalassemia trait in our study was found to be 4.25 percent. Thalassemia screening should be carried out along with normal health screening tests at least once in lifetime
RESUMO
Objective: To determine the frequency of hepatitis B and C virus among the healthy blood donors
Study Design: Cross sectional study
Place and Duration of study: This was carried out at Pakistan Air Force [PAF] Hospital Islamabad from January 2015 to April 2017
Patients and Methods: The blood donors were both male and female came from Islamabad and surroundings. A detailed medical history and examination was carried out by medical officer. All donors were provided questionnaire and consent Performa. The blood donors negative for previous history of viral hepatitis and other contraindications for blood donation were included in study. All donations were screened for HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA
Results: A total of 2185 healthy blood donors were enrolled. Out of them, 2137 [97.8%] were male and 48[2.2%] were female. In female donors, HBsAg was negative in all donors and anti-HCV antibodies was positive in 2[4.16%]. Whereas, in males HBsAg was positive in 34[1.59%] and anti-HCV antibodies was positive in 81[3.79%]
Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV among blood donors was high as compared to HBV. Hepatitis B and C are one of major sources of transfusion transmitted diseases. Prevention of transfusion transmitted diseases is possible with vigilant donor selection and strict screening process