Frequency of Hepatitis B and C Sero Markers Among Hemophiliacs and Von Willebrand's Disease in Alkut, Iraq. (2017)

Abstract

Objective: Blood-borne infections, such as the hepatitis B and C, are major problems in patients receiving blood products. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of occurrence  of hepatitis B and C viruses among hemophiliacs in AlKut city, Iraq. Methods: A cross sectional study of 50 patient having hemophilia and VWD  registered in hematology center in Al Karama hospital in AlKut city, Was it state, Iraq , in 2017. And evaluated for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab). Demographic data of patient's age at time of diagnosis, sex, ABO blood group and type of treatment were also recorded and analysed .Results: 50 patients presented with bleeding disorder, 41  patients diagnosed as hemophilia [ 100% in male] and 9 patients diagnosed as von wille brand's disease [33.3% are male and 66.7 % was female] . 66% of them have proved to have +ve family history, and 16% have –ve family history, and 18% not yet proved. 42.9% (15 patients) of all investigated patients (35 patients) was sero positive for hepatitis B& C. 8.6% (3 patients) and 31.4% (11 patients) had hepatitis B and C respectively. 2.9% (1 patient) had both of them. 53.3% (8 patients) of patient with +ve hepatitis infection had diagnosed to be having coagulopathy (hemophilia & von will e brand's disease when they was below 10 years, 26.7% (4 patients) between 10 – 20 years and 20% (3 patients) was above 20 years. 4 VWD patients underwent viral screen , 50% of them were +ve for hepatitis C and 50% were ve for all hepatitis types. 31 hemophiliac patients underwent viral screen, 41.9% were +ve { 9.7 % (3 patients) had hepatitis B, 29% (9 patients) had hepatitis C, and 3.2% (1 patient) had both of them} .patients with coagulopathy receive treatment as cryoprecipitate and factor VIII and IX . 66.7% of hepatitis B sero positive patients had received cryoprecipitate, 90.9% (10 of all 11 patients) of hepatitis C sero positive patients had received cryoprecipitate, and the patient who had both types of hepatitis also receive cryoprecipitate.  Conclusion: Management of transfusion of blood and blood products should account for the underlying prevalence of infectious agents, And the risk of getting these infections increased with increasing the period and frequency of exposure to them.