Sero-Molecular Detection of Transfusion Transmissible Infections Among Thalassemic Patients in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of molecular markers along with serological markers of Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus among multi-transfused beta-thalassemia patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Apr to Jul 2020. Methodology: A total of 105 beta-thalassemia patients were included in this study. Demographic information and frequency of transfusion was noted. Serological markers were detected using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay while molecular markers were identified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among 105 beta-thalassemia patients, 61(58.1%) were males and 44(41.9%) were females. The age range was from 2-34 years with a mean age of 11.8±6.4 years. Seropositivity and Nucleic Acid Testing reactivity was observed in 29(27.6%) and 16(15.2%) patients respectively. The frequency of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) was highest among infected patients while none of the patient was found to be reactive for anti-HIV and HIV-RNA. Viremia was detected in 12(11.4%) out of 29 seropositive patients and in 4(3.8%) out of 76 seronegative patients. Conclusion: Hepatitis C Virus was the most prevalent in beta-thalassemia patients followed by Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The serology should be augmented with NAT to detect viremia in seronegative cases as well as seropositive cases. The NAT will also help in early identification and treatment of infected patients and improve quality of life of these patients.

Keywords

• Beta-Thalassemia
• Nucleic acid amplification technique
• Transfusion-transmitted infection