Prevalence of hepatitis B and C seromarkers and abnormal liver function tests among hemophiliacs in Guilan (northern province of Iran).
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and abnormal liver function tests among hemophiliacs in Guilan province, Iran.


METHODS
Patients registered with Guilan Hemophilia Society (GHS) were enrolled in this study, and evaluated for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab) and liver function tests.


RESULTS
One hundred and one patients (100 males, 1 female, mean age 19.7 years, range 3-71 years) from 110 registered hemophiliacs were enrolled in this study. 29 patients (28.7%) had elevated Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 27 (26.7%) and 72 (71.3%) were positive for HBsAg and HCV-Ab, respectively. Seropositivity for HCV-Ab correlated with the duration of treatment with clotting factor until 1997 (P=0.01). There was also an inverse correlation between factor VIII & IX activity and seropositivity for HCV-Ab (P<0.001) and HBsAg (P<0.04). HCV-Ab was more likely to be positive among those received lyophilized factor VIII and cryoprecipitate than lyophilized factor VIII alone (P<0.01). In addition HCV-Ab seropositivity was more common among those received factor IX concentrate and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) than those received only FFP (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Based upon our finding, prevalence of HBsAg positive cases in Guilan province was higher than other studies. Although frequency of HCV-Ab was similar to other studies, frequency of increased ALT was less. Upon the results emerged from this study, we recommend that all hemophiliacs should be vaccinated against HBV and should have regular program for checking HCV.
Mansour-Ghanaei
Fariborz
F
Gastrointestinal & Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. ghanaei@gums.ac.ir
Fallah
Mohammad S
MS
Shafaghi
Afshin
A
Yousefi-Mashhoor
Mahmood
M
Ramezani
Naghi
N
Farzaneh
Farshid
F
Nassiri
Reza
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005164:Factor IX / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D005169:Factor VIII; D005164:Factor IX; D000410:Alanine Transaminase