SEROPREVALANCE OF HEPATITIS B, HEPATITIS C AND HUMAN IMMUN DEFICIENCY VIRUS IN PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AND THEIR IMMUNITY STATUS -

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalance of transfusion related infections and the immunity status in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) receiving multiple blood transfusions. Material and Method: Between 2004-2011 93 patients with SCA from the Haematology Clinic were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies (anti-HIV) . The immunity status of the patients in terms of influenza virus, pneumococ, haemaphilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B were evaluated using medical history data. Results: The patients had a history of blood transfusion and/or erythrocyte exchange. Of the 93 patients, 2 were HBsAg positive (2.1%), 6 were anti-HCV positive (6.4%), and none was anti-HIV positive . While HBsAb was positive in 7 patients (7.5%) without vaccination, 40 patients (43%) were given vaccination against hepatitis B (HBV). HBsAb titers were above 10 mIU/ml in 47 patients (50.5%). 20 patients (21.5%) had pneumococ vaccination and 21 patients (22.5%) had influenza virus vaccination but none of them were given vaccination against Haemaphilus influenza type 1 (Hib) . Vaccination rates were higher in females and it was found statistically significant (p