Immunologic and virologic status of multitransfused thalassemic patients

Viral markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), immunoglobulins and complements, T-cell subpopulation antibodies (OKT series) and mitogen responses have been investigated in 68 multitransfused thalassemic patients and in 46 age-matched children. Results showed (1) 56 patients (82.4%) had been exposed to HBV; 29 patients (42.6%) had been exposed to CMV and none were HIV infection. (2) Increased IgG, IgA, OKIal, and decreased C3, OKT3, OKT4, OKT4/OTK8 ratio showed in patients as compared to controls. (3) An apparent increase in lymphocyte proliferation was seen in patients' cultures with or without mitogen (PHA and ConA) stimulation. (4) No definite factors such as sex, age at first transfusion, number of transfusions or HBsAg carrier status correlated with the abnormal change of immunological tests. (5) Immunological investigation, done on 2 occasions six months apart, revealed no significant modifications except that 13 patients (19%) who were initially seronegative for CMV converted to seropositive. These investigations suggest that, although saline-washed RBC was used for the transfused patients, there was high prevalence of HBV and CMV infection. Further studies of lymphocyte function (i.e. lymphokines) are needed to understand the increased spontaneous proliferation in culture and PHA, ConA mitogen responses.