Treatment of hepatitis C in patients with thalassemia

Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and D among Thalassemia patients in Sulaimani Governorate

“…Studies concluded that in countries with a high Human Development Index, the rate of new viral hepatitis infection in thalassemia patients has dropped markedly in recent years but this has not been the case in countries with a low-medium Human Development Index. Among the large majority of chronically-transfused patients living in underdeveloped or developing countries, HCV infection remains a significant problem for patients with thalassemia major [25]. In Iran [38] it was observed that the prevalence of HCV infection in thalassemia patients has decreased significantly.…”

“…Several factors could explain the high prevalence of HBV, HCV and sometimes HDV among thalassemic patients, including frequent blood transfusion [23]. The vast majority of the cases may be due to the sensitivity of blood screening before transfusion [24], as it was clarified by different investigators that advances in screening for detection of blood-borne viruses have greatly diminished the risk of infection with blood transfusion in developing countries [25]. Moreover, parenteral medication may be another significant risk factor rather than transfusion [26].…”

The Prevalence of HBsAg, Anti-HCV, and Anti-HBc in Patients With β-Thalassemia Referred to Blood Banking Department of Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran

“…The prevalence of HCV is approximately 0.2% to 40% (4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common one in the world and about 1 million cases die from this infection every year (9). Careful screening of donors and also several laboratory tests on donor's blood decreased the incidence of the transfusion transmitted diseases such as HBV and HCV infections (10).…”

Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment in a Thalassemia Major Patient: A Case Report

“…Therefore, the age groups of cases with hepatitis C and thalassemia were found to be higher. liver damage caused by these illnesses increases the risk of fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma development (4). In some previous studies, it has been shown that iron overload in the liver associated with thalassemia and hCv infection is an independent risk factor for fibrosis.…”

“…In some previous studies, it has been shown that iron overload in the liver associated with thalassemia and hCv infection is an independent risk factor for fibrosis. In these cases of coexistence, the risk of fibrosis development increases remarkably and chronic hepatitis C develops secondarily to blood transfusion resulting in an increase in mortality and morbidity (4,5,6,7). In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients, it is known that sustained virological response rate in interferon alpha monotherapy is low whereas the rate of recurrence is high (8).…”