Hepatitis C in sickle cell anemia.
We evaluated the contribution of hepatitis C virus infection to liver disease in patients with sickle cell anemia. Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by commercial enzyme immunoassay and a second confirmatory assay were assayed in 121 consecutive patients with sickle cell anemia. Anti-HCV was detected in 25 of 121 patients (20.7%). Of patients transfused > 10 units of blood products, 30.3% were anti-HCV seropositive, whereas 8.6% of those patients who transfused < 10 units were seropositive. In 11 of the 121 patients, serum alanine aminotransferase levels were repeatedly elevated. Nine of these 11 patients were anti-HCV seropositive, one was positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and one was negative for all viral markers. In contrast, of 110 patients with normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels, only 14% were anti-HCV seropositive. In patients with sickle cell anemia, exposure to hepatitis C is common, related to the number of previous transfusions, and the most likely cause of persistently elevated aminotransferase levels.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
K R
KR
DeVault
L S
LS
Friedman
S
S
Westerberg
P
P
Martin
B
B
Hosein
S K
SK
Ballas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies