Transfusion transmitted infections in frequently transfused thalassemic children living in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt: Current prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

Regular blood transfusion therapy remains the primary treatment in thalassemia major (TM). Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) and iron overload are considered to be the major drawbacks of this therapy. This cross-sectional study aimed to update the prevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, PCR-confirmed HCV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody among TM children. Clinical and epidemiological factors that can affect HCV infection prevalence rate were studied. This study evaluated 121 children with βTM, including 61 males and 60 females with a mean age of 7.99±3.57years. Patients were evaluated for the HCV, HBsAg, and HIV-1 & 2 antibodies. All tests were performed using ELISA. HCV positive cases were confirmed by RT-PCR. Twenty-five patients were positive for the HCV antibody (20.7%); 22 were confirmed positive by PCR. Six patients (5%) were HBsAg-positive. No patients were HIV-positive. Older age were associated with an increased frequency of HCV positive infection (P<0.003). More frequent transfusion, ≥10 times/year, and older age, ≥10years, were reported as predictors of HCV infection (P=0.018 and 0.011, respectively). A significant association of HCV between HBV infections was reported (P value=0.01). There was no significant effect of the pre-transfusion or post-transfusion hemoglobin level on the frequency of HCV positive cases. HCV still represents a major health challenge for frequently transfused Egyptian patients. The prevalence rate of HBV infection remains relatively high. Therefore, it is necessary to implement measures to improve blood transfusion screening.

Prevalence of Sero-Molecular Markers of Hepatitis C and B Viruses among Patients with β-Thalassemia Major in Northern West Bank, Palestine

“…The present study showed that 13/14 (93%) of HCV-positive cases are older than 12 years, but not significant ( p = 0.06). Atwa et al reported that age is an important predictor for HCV infection among thalassemia and nonthalassemia patients in endemic areas [ 11 , 30 ]. In the present study, 35.7% of the HCV-infected patients were positive for anti-HBc antibodies which was found to be higher among HCV-infected thalassemia patients, but not significant ( P =0.07).…”

“…The low prevalence of HBV among β -thalassemia patients in Palestine was consistent with results reported in Iran (1.1%) and Malaysia (1%) [ 14 , 38 , 39 ]. However, higher prevalence had been reported in endemic area including Egypt (3–29%) and Pakistan (3%) [ 11 , 40 , 41 ]. Furthermore, 25 (19%) of our cases had anti-HBc with all having negative results for both HBsAg and HBV-DNA by PCR.…”

A Seroprevalence of Hbv, HCV and Hiv-1 and Correlation With Molecular Markers Among Multi-Transfused Thalassemia Patients in Western India

“…The possibility of acquiring TTIs is associated with the number of units transfused; therefore, the infection rate of TTIs increases with age in subsequent years. 16 Therefore, each blood transfusion/blood unit composes a chance for acquiring TTI, and as the number of blood transfusion increases, the higher the risk of exposure. Furthermore, since thalassemia patients need multiple transfusions, it is logical that the provision of blood may not be prompt in every visit in a single center.…”

Hepatitis-C and it’s seroconversion in end stage kidney disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis and factors affecting it

“…The prevalence of HCV among HD patients varies greatly by geographic area (4% to 59% in different countries) throughout the world. Patients on hemodialysis are at high risk of seroconversion (appearance of anti-HCV antibody after exposure), like thalassemia and ICU patients, because of multiple reasons, important being are multiple blood transfusions, frequent needling, blood sampling and extracorporeal circulation and decreased cellular immunity7,8 Seroconversion to hepatitis-C (HCV) in patients on HD is as low as 1.1% in UK to as high as 48.9% in Pakistan 9,10. Although hepatitis-C infection has slow progressive course but in this population course seemed to be atypical because of delayed Seroconversion secondary to poor nutrition and immunity.…”