The prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immune deficiency virus markers in multi-transfused patients

All patients presenting with hereditary hemolytic anemia, (n = 143) over a period of 18 months were enrolled in a study to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in multi-transfused patients in Jordan, an d to identify possible related risk factors. All patients were treated in t he Thalassemia Unit at Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital. Relevant clinical data were collected. Blood specimens were taken from these patients and tes ted for HbsAg, HbsAb, hepatitis core IgMAb, hepatitis core IgGAb, HCVAb, an d ELISA for HIV. Fifty-eight (40.5 per cent) of the specimens were HCVAb po sitive, while only five (3.5 per cent) of them were positive for HBsAg. Non e of the specimens were positive for HIV. The frequency of blood transfusio n and the time of diagnosis before or after 1995, were investigated as poss ible risk factors for viral seropositivity. Only the time of diagnosis was a statistically significant risk factor for HCVAb positivity (OR = 4.49; p = 0.005). In conclusion, hepatitis C acquisition is a serious risk for mult i-transfused patients in Jordan. Hepatitis B is relatively less common. Blo od screening initiated after 1995 in Jordan has significantly reduced the r isk of hepatitis C associated with blood transfusion.