Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C and HIV Viruses among Hemophiliac Patients in Al-Anbar Governorate

Abstract

Background: People with hemophilia (factor VIII and IX deficiency) and those with other clotting factor
deficiencies are particularly at risk of acquiring blood-borne hepatitis virus infections and HIV through
transfusion with unscreened blood and blood products.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, and HIV among hemophiliac patients in the AlAnbar governorate.
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study carried out between October 2014 and March 2015 was
done to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, and HIV among hemophiliac patients. Forty hemophiliac
patients were recruited to this study, who were documented to have hemophilia A and B by factor assay.
Patients’ surveillance for hepatitis B, C and HIV were done by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay
“ECLIA” by using Cobas e 411-immunoassay analyzer.
Results: Forty hemophiliac patients with age ranged between 6 months and 22 years with mean age 9.9 ±
5.4 years were recruited to this study, 5 patients were mild hemophilia, 6 patients moderate hemophilia and
29 patients with severe hemophilia.
The prevalence of hepatitis C among the 40 hemophiliac patients was 5%, while for hepatitis B and HIV was
0%. Six patients (15%) showed immunity to hepatitis B due to successful vaccination.
Conclusions: This study showed that the prevalence of hepatitis B and HIV is zero, while for hepatitis C
5%. Hepatitis C infection was more in severe hemophilia A, advanced age and an increasing number of
blood and blood products transfusion. Only 6 patients (15%) among hemophiliac patients were seropositive
for hepatitis B vaccine immunity.