Prevalence of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus and related risk factors among hemophilia and thalassemia patients In Iran

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus [HCV], Hepatitis B virus [HBV] and Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] among hemophilia and thalassemia patients. Present study was conducted from October 2008 to December 2010 in Isfahan, Iran. One thousand one hundred and sixty adult multi-transfused patients [822 males, 338 females, mean age 22.7 +/- 11.5 years] suffering from beta-thalassemia [n = 545] and hemophilia [n=615] were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were obtained from the patients and were tested for HBs Ag, Anti-HCV Ag and Anti- HIV Ab. HCV positive patients underwent genotype determination. Of 545 thalassemia patients, 312[57.2%] were male and 233 [42.8%] were female. From 615 hemophilia patients, 511[83%] were male and 104 [17%] were female. Chronic hepatitis was detected in 505[82.1%] hemophilia patients of which 495 [98%] were HCV Ab positive and 10 [2%] had HBsAg positive. The prevalence of HCV Ab positive and HBsAg positive in 56 [11%] thalassemia patients with chronic hepatitis was 50 [89.2%] and 6 [10.8%] respectively. None of the thalassemia and hemophilia patients were positive for HIV Ab. History of hepatitis in family is the major risk factors and HCV genotype 1 was the major genotype in our patients. HCV is the major virus of concern in multi-transfused patients. The strategies for prevention of HCV, HBV and HIV and safety of blood products in this respect have indeed been successful