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Hepatitis A in French hemophiliacs
J Goudemand1, A Parquet, R d'Oiron
1Centres Régionaux de Traitement de l'Hémophilie de Lille, France.
Vox Sanguinis
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody prevalence was studied in French hemophilia patients treated with solvent/detergent (SD) products. Seropositivity increased with age but was not excessive compared to controls, indicating no specific risk from SD products.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hematology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hemophilia patients historically faced risks from blood products.
- Solvent/detergent (SD) treatment was introduced to improve viral safety of clotting factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) antibody prevalence in hemophilia patients treated with SD-products.
- To determine if SD-treated factor products posed a risk for HAV transmission.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 793 hemophilia A (HA) and 89 hemophilia B (HB) patients were tested for HAV antibodies.
- Patients were treated with SD-products in 10 French Hemophilia Centers since 1986-1987.
- Prevalence was compared between HA and HB patients, age groups, and with normal controls.
Main Results:
- HAV seropositivity was 29.9% in HA and 40.4% in HB patients.
- Seropositivity significantly increased with age in both HA and HB groups.
- HAV prevalence in HA patients was not higher than in normal controls (n=585).
- Six HAV contaminations in severe HA patients likely reflected general population exposure.
Conclusions:
- No increased risk of HAV transmission was identified with SD-treated factor products used in France since 1986.
- Age is a significant factor for HAV seropositivity in hemophilia patients.
- HAV prevalence in hemophilia patients mirrors that of the general population.