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Risk factors for hepatitis B and C in multi-transfused patients in Uruguay

Lilia López1, Patricia López, Antonio Arago

  • 1Departamento y Cátedra de Hemoterapia, Hospital de Clínicas, Av. Italia s/n, Montevideo, Uruguay. emihidal2002@yahoo.es

Journal of Clinical Virology : the Official Publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
|February 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections remain a concern, particularly for multi-transfused patients. Systematic blood donor screening significantly reduced these risks.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) persist despite advancements in prevention.
  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections pose a significant risk to multi-transfused patients in Uruguay.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in multi-transfused patients in Uruguay.
  • To assess the impact of systematic serological screening on TTI rates.
  • To identify risk factors, including transfusion volume and patient characteristics, associated with HBV and HCV acquisition.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 409 multi-transfused patients.
  • Serological testing for HCV antibodies, HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and HBV core antibodies (HBcAc) was performed.

Main Results:

  • Overall HCV antibody prevalence was 12.7%, with significantly higher rates in hemophiliacs (60.0%).
  • HBV infection markers (HBsAg and HBcAc) were found in 1.0% and 16.6% of patients, respectively.
  • A direct correlation was observed between the number of transfusions and the prevalence of HCV antibodies and HBcAc, with higher rates in patients transfused before systematic donor screening.

Conclusions:

  • Blood transfusions are identified as the primary risk factor for HCV and HBV infection in this cohort.
  • Systematic serological screening of blood donors proved highly effective in mitigating transfusion-transmitted HBV and HCV.
Abstract

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