Thirty five patients with acquired aplastic anaemia (AAA) were treated with anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG). Fifteen (42.9%) had non-severe aplastic anaemia (NSAA), 14 (40%) severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) and 6 very severe aplastic anaemia (VSAA). There were 17 (48.6%) responders to the first course of ALG while 2 out of 5 (40%) responded to a second course, the overall response rate being 54.3%. Eleven out of 15 (73.3%) with NSAA responded, 8 out of 20 (40%) with SAA responded while none of VSAA responded. All the non-responders have died. Out of the responders, 1 died of non-A non-B hepatitis, and 1 with relapse of AA and sepsis. One has developed paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and one myelodysplasia. Another 2 needed infrequent red cell transfusion support. Remaining 13 (37.1%) are asymptomatic and without any external support since 18-78 months (35 +/- 21). We conclude that ALG is an effective modality of treatment for patients with AAA.
Twelve out of 72 (16.7%) multi-transfused patients with thalassemia major (age range: 7-22 years) were found to be positive for antibody to hepatitis-C virus (anti-HCV). Nine (75%) of these 12 cases were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and/or hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). Out of the remaining 60 patients (83.3%), 27 patients (45%) were positive for anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs, while six (10%) were HBsAg positive Anti-HCV positive patients had significant higher levels of liver enzymes than those who were negative (p < 0.01). S. Ferritin was also significantly higher in those with seropositivity for anti-HCV than those who were negative (p < 0.01). It is concluded that HCV (besides HBV) is a major problem in multi-transfused thalassemia major patients and routine pre-transfusion screening of blood for anti-HCV must be introduced in the blood banks.
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