Abstract

Amir Houshang Mohammad Alizadeh*, Mehdi Rezazadeh, Mitra Ranjbar, Kianoush Donboli, Farahnaz Fallahian, Mehrdad Hadjilooi, Seyed Mohsen Mousavi,Mohammad Abbasi and Seyed Moayed Alavian

The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of hepatitis B and C infections; to analyze the markers of inflammation and liver function tests; and to assess the possible association between factor VIII inhibitor and hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B infections in hemophiliacs of Hamadan province of Iran. Subjects with confirmed diagnosis of hemophilia who agreed to participate were recruited in this case-series study. Hepatitis B and C serology, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and factor VIII levels, and factor VIII inhibitor titer were analyzed. Frequency of anti hepatitis C antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen were 59.1 and 5%, respectively. Factor VIII inhibitor was present in 47.8% of hemophilia A group, and its presence was neither associated with hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections nor with AST, ALT levels. Student’s t-test showed a significant statistical association between duration of hemophilia and development of factor VIII inhibitor (p value = 0.038). Frequency of hepatitis B and C infections in hemophiliacs is significant. There was a significant association between duration of hemophilia and hepatitis C infection (p value <0.011). One suggestion is that current blood product screening methods for eliminating blood-borne viruses might not be effective enough. Further investigation is recommended.