Hepatitis B and C Infections and Different Genotypes of HCV Among Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Ahvaz, South-Western Iran

Background: Although it is life-saving, blood transfusion therapy has resulted in risk for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) in the majority of sickle cell anemia being patients. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and different genotypes of HCV among sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients in Ahvaz city, South-western Iran. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 56 SCA patients who referred to the Hemoglobinopathy and Thalassemia research centre during January 2009 to February 2010. Patients sera were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV using ELISA and confirmed by PCR (HBV) and RT-PCR (HCV). HCV genotypes were determined with HCV genotype specific primers using HCV genotyping kit. Results: The overall prevalence rate of HBsAg and anti-HCV were 1.8% (95% CI: 0-5.26) and 12.5% (95% CI: 3.8 - 21.1), respectively. Five of the anti-HCV patients (71.4%) were also HCV RNA positive. The predominant HCV genotype in the patients was 1a (60%), though genotype 1b was found in 40% of the subjects. Conclusions: It seems that stringent donor selection procedures reduce HCV infection in multi-transfused patients, but there is still serious risk for these patients.