TO STUDY THE PREVALENCE OF TRANSFUSION TRANSMITTEDINFECTIONS AMONGST MULTI-TRANSFUSED THALASSEMICPATIENTS OF WESTERN RAJASTHAN

Abstract

Objective: -To determine the prevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTI) amongst
multi-transfused thalassemic patients of Western Rajasthan region.
Study: - Hospital based cross-sectional study
Study Group: - A total of 100 Thalassemic patients receiving (≥10) blood transfusions as part of
their management were enrolled in this study.
Result: -Male to female ratio in the study group was 2.0:1. The mean age of the study group was
8.48±4.78 years.Half of the cases were nutritionally wasted whereas more than half of the cases
were stunted according to their age as per WHO standards. 40% cases were HCV positive of
which 26 (65%) cases were males whereas 14 (35%) were females with a male to female ratio of
1.8:1. There was a linear relationship between HCV positivity and age and number of
transfusions. Serum ferritin, SGOT, SGPT and total billirubin were significantly higher in HCV
positive cases. Three cases were co-infected with HCV and HIV.
Conclusion: -A high prevalence of TTI was there among the study group, of which HCV was
the most common. Efforts must be made to cut down the risk by proper screening of every unit
of blood to be transfused for common infective agents. NAT testing should be made mandatory
in every center having transfusion services in a phased manner.