title: Transfusion-transmitted infections among multi-transfused patients in Brazil.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, State Unioersity of Campinas, Rua Carlos Chagas 480, 13083-970 Campinas SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erich V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.forename: Neiva S L
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Gonçales
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xueref
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Addas-Carvalho
authors.forename: Simone C O
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gilli
authors.forename: Rodrigo N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Angerami
authors.forename: Mônica P A
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Veríssimo
authors.forename: Fernando L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Gonçales
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies