Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus infections in children with cancer at diagnosis and following therapy inTurkey

Background. Children with cancer receiving intensive chemotherapy require m ultiple transfusions and are at increased risk for blood transmittable dise ases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human im munodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Procedure. Sera from 50 children (24 female, 26 male) admitted between January, 1994, and December. 1995, with solid tumors receiving intensive chemotherapy and multiple transfusions wer e investigated for HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV by ELI SA at diagnosis and at the end of therapy. Results. HBsAg, HBV, HCV, and HI V seropositivities were 0%, 4%, 2% and 0% at diagnosis and 10%, 20%, 14% an d 0% at the end of therapy, respectively. Conclusions. The high seroprevale nce of HCV may be due to the lack of anti-HCV screening of blood products i n the blood banks during the study period. Although the HBV seroprevalance of 20% found in this study is much lower than the value of 56% found in a p revious study conducted during 1986-1989 in a similar patient population an d a similar setting, it is still high. Children infected with HBV during im munosuppressive therapy are at greater risk of becoming chronic carriers an d precautions must be taken for immunization of these children. Med. Pediat r. Oncol. 34:102-105, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss. Inc.