Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Association of Medical Microbiology ISSN: 0255-0857 EISSN: 1998-3646 Vol. 26, Num. 2, 2008, pp. 205-206

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol. 26, No. 2, April-June, 2008, pp. 205-206

Correspondence

Seroprevalence of HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B in Multitransfused Thalassemics

Mathur M, Wanjari K, Turbadkar D

Department of Microbiology, LTM Medical College and Hospital, Sion, Mumbai - 400 022
Correspondence Address:Department of Microbiology, LTM Medical College and Hospital, Sion, Mumbai - 400 022
drmmathur@hotmail.com

Date of Submission: 25-Jul-2007
Date of Acceptance: 26-Sep-2007

Code Number: mb08065

Dear editor,

In recent years, there has been increased public concern about the safety of blood transfusion with respect to transfusion-transmitted infections. Human immunodeficiency, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses are transmissible by blood transfusion and are associated with important clinical diseases. Blood units are screened with assays of steadily increasing sensitivity due to availability of antibodies against Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) since 1971, ^[1] against HIV since 1989 and against Hepatitis C virus since 2001. ^[2]

This study includes 126 multitransfused thalassemia cases (82 males and 44 females) attending LTMG Hospital, Mumbai, over a period of 18 months (January 2002 to June 2003). Patients were in the age group of ten months to 22 years with a mean of 6.7 years with no other risk factors. Blood was collected and serum samples were screened for HBsAg by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method (Hepanostika kit). A third generation ELISA kit was used to screen for the antibody to HCV. ELISA and Rapid tests were used to detect antibody to HIV as per national AIDS control organisation (NACO) guidelines. In the present study of 126 multitransfused thalassemia cases, seroprevalence of the antiHIV and antiHCV antibodies and of HBsAg was 3.97, 43.65 and 2.38%, respectively. In thalassemia cases receiving more than 50 transfusions, seroprevalence of the antiHIV and antiHCV antibodies and of the HBsAg was 5.43, 57.6 and 2.38%, respectively [Table].

Blood screening using the viral antigen and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAT) can reduce the window period of HIV, Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infections substantially. ^[3] Estimates of the risk of blood-borne infections are essential for monitoring the safety of blood supply and the impact of new screening tests. Blood transfusion, a life saving modality, can be made safer by the introduction of the NAT for screening of blood units for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses and it can be made cost-effective by pooling samples. ^[4]

References

Copyright 2008 - Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology

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