Seropidemiological studies of hepatitis B and C in hemophiliacs in north-western Iran

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in hemophiliacs in the city of Tabriz, northwest of Iran, 103 hemophiliacs and the same number of healthy individuals who served as a control group, were randomly selected and studied for anti-HCV. Using the second generation ELISA, anti-HBC antibodies, HBsAg, and serum ALT/AST were determined. Seventy-nine [76.7%] of patients and one [0.97%] of the control group were anti-HCV positive. No false positive results were detected by Western blot assay of anti-HCV positive sera. Anti-HBC antibodies were present in 41 [51.8%] of anti-HCV positive patients while there were only three positive cases of HBsAg. Significant correlation was found between the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody and serum AST/ALT, as well as the patients' age and the amount of blood products transfused