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, and to identify possible related risk factors. All patients were treated in the Thalassemia Unit at Princess Rahma Teaching Hospital. Relevant clinical data were collected. Blood specimens were taken from these patients and tested for HbsAg, HbsAb, hepatitis core IgMAb, hepatitis core IgGAb, HCVAb, and ELISA for HIV. Fifty-eight (40.5 per cent) of the specimens were HCVAb positive, while only five (3.5 per cent) of them were positive for HBsAg. None of the specimens were positive for HIV. The frequency of blood transfusion and the time of diagnosis before or after 1995, were investigated as possible 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 multi-transfused patients in Jordan. Hepatitis B is relatively less common. Blood screening initiated after 1995 in Jordan has significantly reduced the risk of hepatitis C associated with blood transfusion.