Transfusion-transmitted infections among multi-transfused patients in Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) continue to be a problem in many parts of the world, and multi-transfused patients (MTP) are at a particularly increased risk of TTI.


OBJECTIVE
to estimate the prevalence of TTI among multi-transfused patients in Brazil, and to understand the epidemiological characteristics of TTI among these patients.


METHODS
cross-sectional study of 353 MTP, who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and tested for serological markers of hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.


RESULTS
the overall prevalence of HCV, HIV, HBV and co-infection among MTP were 16.7%, 1.7%, 0.8% and 1.7% respectively. A dose-effect relationship could be detected between the number of units transfused and HCV infection. Other non-transfusion related (NTR) risk factors for HCV did not confer any excess risk of HCV infection to MTP.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV infection was the most prevalent TTI among MTP, and remains a major health problem for these patients. A dose-effect relationship could be detected between HCV and the number of units transfused. The implementation of measures such as donor education programs, standards for donor selection criteria, and of improved serological screening protocols, paralleled the decline in the prevalence of TTI, specially of HCV, observed in MTP, underscoring the importance of such measures for the reduction of the residual risk of TTI.
de Paula
Erich V
EV
Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, State Unioersity of Campinas, Rua Carlos Chagas 480, 13083-970 Campinas SP, Brazil.
Gonçales
Neiva S L
NS
Xueref
Serge
S
Addas-Carvalho
Marcelo
M
Gilli
Simone C O
SC
Angerami
Rodrigo N
RN
Veríssimo
Mônica P A
MP
Gonçales
Fernando L
FL
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies