Assessment of the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B, viral hepatitis C and HIV in multitransfused thalassaemia major patients in Karachi, Pakistan

Trop Doct. 2011 Jan;41(1):23-5. doi: 10.1258/td.2010.100158. Epub 2010 Oct 12.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study reveals the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in multi-transfused thalassemia major patients. Thirty-four out of 79 (43.0%) patients enrolled in the study serologically tested positive for hepatitis C (mean ± standard deviation age = 12 ± 4.1 years), four (5.1%) for hepatitis B and none for HIV. Some of the measures that should be adapted are: safe blood transfusions; awareness programmes through print and electronic media; and the early screening of such hazardous infections.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV Seroprevalence
  • Hepatitis B / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Transfusion Reaction*
  • beta-Thalassemia / epidemiology
  • beta-Thalassemia / therapy*
  • beta-Thalassemia / virology

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies