Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in thalassaemic patients and patients who undergo long-term haemodialysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health problem. Multiple blood transfusions and long-term haemodialysis are associated with HCV transmission. OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of HCV in thalassaemic patients and patients who undergo long-term haemodialysis. METHODOLOGY: Study group consisted of 228 thalassaemic patients and 183 patients who undergo long-term haemodialysis. A sample of blood was collected from all the patients and tested for HCV antibody with a third generation ELISA. Repeatedly reactive samples were subjected to one step reverse transcriptase-PCR. RESULTS: Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among thalassaemic patients and haemodialysis patients were 3.95% (9/228) and 1.09% (2/183) respectively. Mean number of blood transfusions among anti-HCV positive patients was 139.91 compared to 53.88 in anti-HCV negative patients (p<0.01). Mean number of haemodialysis cycles among anti-HCV positive patients was 197.0 compared to 51.15 in anti-HCV negative patients (p=0.000). In thalassaemic cohort, 52.2% were not screened for either HBV or HCV infection. In haemodialysis cohort this value was 27.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anti-HCV antibodies was significantly associated with the number of blood transfusions and number of haemodialysis cycles. Screening for viral hepatitis markers was not satisfactory in either cohort. It is recommended that patients be screened for hepatitis B and C viruses prior to dialysis/ transfusion and at specific intervals. Screening donor blood for anti-HCV antibodies should be made mandatory to decrease the HCV infection among multitransfused patients. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Financial assistance by National Health Research Council & Roche Pharmaceuticals.