Author/Authors :
Alavian Seyed-Moayed نويسنده , Izadi Morteza نويسنده , Ranjbar Reza نويسنده , Miri Seyyed Mohammad نويسنده Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Tehran, IR Iran. 2) Kowsar Corporation, Central Office, Hoensbroek, Netherlands Seyyed Mohammad , Karimi-Sari Hamidreza نويسنده Students Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran Karimi-Sari Hamidreza , Jonaidi Jafari Nematollah نويسنده Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Ramezani-Binabaj Mahdi نويسنده Students’ Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Rezaee-Zavareh Mohammad Saeid نويسنده Students’ Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Ajudani Reza نويسنده Students’ Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , Tavallaei-Nosratabadi Javad نويسنده Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical
Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Abstract :
Background Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is determined by
finding hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the liver cells of the patients
with negative tests for HBV surface antigen. It is more common in
patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection which can be transmitted
by blood transfusion and is frequently seen in hemophilia and
thalassemia patients. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the
prevalence of OBI among Iranian patients with hematological disorders
(thalassemia, hemophilia and other coagulation factor deficiencies)
infected with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Methods In this descriptive
cross-sectional study, all patients with hematological disorders
(thalassemia, hemophilia or other coagulation factor deficiencies) who
had simultaneous CHC infection and were referred to the Tehran hepatitis
center between 2009 and 2010 were enrolled. Occult hepatitis B infection
identification was based on serum HBV-DNA tests. Data analysis was
performed with SPSS software. Results All patients were HBsAg-negative
and HCV RNA-positive. Only 145 patients were evaluated for HBV DNA (126
male and 19 female patients). The mean age (SD) was 28.12 (8.6) years.
Thirty-five patients had thalassemia, 95 patients had hemophilia, and 15
patients had coagulation factor deficiencies. Serum HBV-DNA was negative
for all cases. Conclusions Based on our results, it seems that there
were no cases of OBI among chronic HCV-infected patients with
thalassemia and bleeding disorders, particularly hemophilia. However, to
improve decisions concerning OBI screening, especially in transfusion
centers, and concerning the use of comprehensive screening methods, more
original studies with more precise laboratory techniques and larger
sample sizes are needed.
