Study of seroprevalence in thalassemic patients

Background: Thalassemias are a group of congenital anemias that have in common deficient synthesis of one or more of the globin subunits of normal human haemoglobins. They are one of the commonest inherited hemolytic disorders. Materials and methods: Present study was done at a teaching hospital in Ahmedabad between August 2005 and September 2007. Blood samples of patients attending Thalassemia Clinic and Pediatric Department were tested. Total 93 patients were tested for HIV, HBsAg and HCV as and when they came for transfusion. Results: 4 Patients were found HIV positive. All of them were male. The increased seropositivity coincided with increased no of transfusions. Incidence of HIV positivity is 4.3%. Two of them were also HCV reactive and one HBSAg reactive. Out of 93 thalassemic children 4 were found HBsAg positive. All of them were male and non - vaccinated. Incidence of HBsAg positivity is calculated as 4.356. The low incidence of HBsAg positivity can be correlated with high proportion of the children getting vaccinated. 72 patients (77.4%) are vaccinated or undergoing vaccination. 19 Patients were found anti - HCV antibody positive showing an incidence of 20.4%. 13 of them were male and 6 female Conclusion: Thalassemic children receiving multiple transfusions are at high risk of acquiring transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs). Incidence of HIV positively has decreased due to mandatory screening of all blood bags. Ideally all patients should complete vaccination for hepatitis B before starting transfusion or as soon as possible thereafter. At present HCV infection has higher incidence in thalassemics as there is no vaccination available. Now a thalassemic with optimum transfusion and chelation has life expectancy like non thalassemics.