Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the main causes of hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and vaccination by anti-HBs is the only reliable method for its prevention. Since blood transfusion is one of the most important transmission routes of this virus, blood recipients may always be at its exposure. Considering the importance of vaccination in multitransfused patients, we decided to evaluate HBsAb level in them.

 Materials and Methods

 In this cross sectional study with simple sampling, 83 patients with major thalassemia, 5 with hemophilia, and 5 with fanconi anemia, having been referred to Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord to receive blood and blood products in the year 2003 were evaluated for their level of HBsAb. The level of HBsAb was measured with Diasorin kit (sensitivity=95%, specificity=98%). Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test.

 Results

 Thirty patients (28.5%) were nonimmune, 11 (12.5%) were partially immune, and 52 (59%) were immune. Eighty eight patients had previous history of hepatitis B vaccination. Out of those who had received the last vaccination within the last 5 years, 82% were immune (p<0.05) and out of those who had it earlier, only 35.7% were immune.

 Conclusions

 Besed on the results of this study, determination of immune status in multitransfused patients and their immunization are important and revaccination after a 5-year lapse in patients is recommended.

 Key words : Hemophilia, Thalassemia, Vaccination, Transfusion