title: Antibody to hepatitis-C virus in multi-transfused thalassaemics--Indian experience.
abstract: Twelve out of 72 (16.7%) multi-transfused patients with thalassemia major (age range: 7-22 years) were found to be positive for antibody to hepatitis-C virus (anti-HCV). Nine (75%) of these 12 cases were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and/or hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). Out of the remaining 60 patients (83.3%), 27 patients (45%) were positive for anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs, while six (10%) were HBsAg positive Anti-HCV positive patients had significant higher levels of liver enzymes than those who were negative (p < 0.01). S. Ferritin was also significantly higher in those with seropositivity for anti-HCV than those who were negative (p < 0.01). It is concluded that HCV (besides HBV) is a major problem in multi-transfused thalassemia major patients and routine pre-transfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in the blood banks.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Haematology, LTMG Hospital, Bombay.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Malkan
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bhave
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vishwanathan
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Billa
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dube
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bajan
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Rajadhyaksha
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens