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

Objectives: 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. Patients and Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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