RESUMO
Regular blood transfusion in patients with hereditary hemolytic anemia, particularly thalassemia, has improved their overall survival, but carries a definite risk of acquisition of blood-borne virus infections, especially viral hepatitis. Occult hepatitis B virus infection is defined as the presence of viral DNA in circulating blood without detectable HBV surface antigen [HBsAg]. To examine occult HBV infection among beta thalassemia major patients in Egypt, an endemic area for HBV infection, and its relation to HCV infection. Fifty patients with beta- thalassemia major followed up at hematology outpatient clinic, Zagazig University Children Hospital were enrolled randomly in this study. The patients have been chosen with negative HBs Ab for at least 6 months. All patients were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, and routine laboratory investigations as Hb levels, ferritin and liver function tests. Detection of HBV and HCV antibodies was done using ELIZA. PCR for detection of HBVAg was done to all patients. Results: 22 [44%] of our patients were positive HCV- Ab, and 28 [56%] were negative. Occult HBV detection by PCR was found in 4 patients [8%] only, and 46 [92%] patients were negative. As regard all laboratory investigations there was no significant difference between both HCV antibodies positive and negative group. Occult hepatitis B infection was detected in three patients with positive HCV antibodies and only one patient with negative HCV antibodies with no statistical difference. Occult HBV was detected in our beta thalassemia major patients with not significantly higher in those with HCV infection. Thus, further studies on clinical implication and mechanism of occult HBV in thalassemia patients are required