Prevalence of hepatitis C resulted from blood transfusion in major thalassemia patients in Semnan, Damghan and Garmsar (2002)

Introduction: Hepatitis C is one of the most important liver diseases in the world. The most common cause of hepatitis is blood transfusion. Children with thalassemia who receive frequent blood transfusions are at high risk  of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thus their diagnosis and treatment on them causes reduction of next consequences. Methods: In this descriptive study all the patients with major thalassemia (630 cases) in Semnan, Damaghan and Garmsar were investigated. Five cc blood was taken 2 weeks after the last blood transfusion. All the blood samples were sent to the blood transfusion organization regarding the cold chain. In the first stage antibody against HCV was checked by ELISA method, and in the second stage all the patients with positive anti-HCV antibodies in the first stage were re-sampled again and re-checked using ELISA. Being positive in to stages indicated that they had hepatitis C. In the third stage all positive samples with anti-HCV antibodies were re-checked via PCR to determine the RNA of the virus. The mentioned sample was taken for anti-HCV antibody test and HCV-RNA PCR. Other required data were obtained from their records. The results were presented using descriptive methods. Results: The mean age of patients was 11.8 (SD=4.7). 39.7% of the patients had positive anti HCV antibodies and in 60% of those who had positive anti HCV antibodies, the PCR was also positive. 31.7% of the patients had first-degree family history of major thalassemia and in 50% of them, anti HCV antibodies and PCR were positive. But in those who didn’t have a family history of major thalassemia, 34.95% had positive antibodies and 33.3% had positive PCR. Conclusion: Due to increase of hepatitis C in thalassemia patients, performing specific tests, frequent follow up, and prompt treatment is necessary for them. Furthermore, more attention is required to prevent hepatitis C infection in thalassemia cases.