Introduction and Objectives: Thalassemia is characterized by a hereditary reduction in hemoglobin production, either partial or total failure of globin chain synthesis.
End-stage liver disease has been linked to hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Present study aims to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C viruses in Alpha major, Beta thalassemia major, and intermedia patients, and its relation with type of thalassemia, age group and blood transfusion in Duhok city.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 multi-transfused thalassemia patients. Data required in the study had been collected from patients, their guardians (parents), and from the records, then 3-5 ml of each participant blood was withdrawn for Hepatitis C virus antibodies, and Hepatitis B surface antigen by ELISA, and PCR done for detection of these viruses.
Results: A total of 200 patients were included in the study. Out of which 93(46.5%) male, and 107(53.5%) female. The mean number of blood transfusions per year is 26.92 +17.1 SD. Among a total of 200 patients, 37(18.5%) were hepatitis C positive and their mean number of blood transfusions received was 36.21+13.108 SD. In total 1 (0.5%) patients were hepatitis B surface antigen positive. HCV infection in Beta thalassemia major was diagnosed earlier than other types of thalassemia with p < 0.05.
Conclusions: The study revealed that the prevalence of HCV infection is higher in multi-transfused thalassemia patents than in the general population. The risk of having HBV and HCV infection increases with the progression of age specially HCV. There was a highly significant association in the number of blood transfusions across different thalassemia diagnoses and HCV status.