Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 As hemophilia and thalassemia patients are in regular need of blood or blood products, they are exposed to blood units of hundreds or even thousands of blood donors therefore, they are at a high risk of acquiring blood transmissible infections. Different prevalent rates of hepatitis B, C and HIV infection in hemophilia and thalassemia populations have been reported in various regions of Iran and the world. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV infection in hemophilia and thalassemia population of Yazd province of Iran.

 Materials and Methods

 In this descriptive study, 85 thalassemia major and 74 hemophilia patients were included. The necessary information was gathered from the patients, blood samples were tested for serum markers of anti-HIV, anti-HCV and HBsAg by the ELISA method, and positive cases were confirmed by Western blot, RIBA and neutralization methods. The data were analyzed by Chi square and Fisher exact tests.

 Results

 None of the thalassemia patients was positive for HIV Ab or HBsAg, while 9.4% were anti-HCV positive. In hemophilia patients, the prevalence of HIV Ab and HBsAg was 1.4%, while that of anti-HCV was 48.6%. The prevalence of anti-HCV in those patients who had received blood or blood products after implementation of the screening program in the country was significantly lower (P=0.02, P<0.000). Overall, the prevalence of hepatitis C as compared to hepatitis B and HIV was higher in both the hemophilia and thalassemia patients.

 Conclusions

 Hepatitis C is the main problem of these patients, especially hemophiliacs. The screening program in the country has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of hepatitis C. In order to reduce the risks of transmissible infections by blood and blood products in the future, it is proposed tests that are more sensitive be used, especially for reduction of the window period of hepatitis C. For hemophiliacs, virally inactivated factor concentrates should be used in case such concentrates are not adequately available , donor retested quarantined plasma should be used.