Frequency of Hepatitis B, C and HIV Infections among Transfusion-Dependent Beta Thalassemia Patients in Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute

Article introductionBeta-thalassemia is a group of inherited blood disorders characterized by reduced or no synthesis of the beta-globin chain, and if the synthesis of both genes is reduced or absent, the person has beta-thalassemia major [1,2].Patients with beta-thalassemia major are at risk for blood-borne viral infections such as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) due to frequent blood transfusions [3].Frequent blood transfusions increase the life expectancy of these patients but are associated with an increased risk of blood-borne diseases.Prevention of viral infections is an important goal in the treatment of patients with betathalassemia major [4].According to reports, before 1990, in Western countries and before 1995 in Iran, donated blood was not screened in blood transfusion organizations for hepatitis C virus.Therefore, patients in beta-thalassemia major were more likely to become infected with viral infections due to the need for frequent blood transfusions [3].Screening donors with serological tests and through interviews and medical examinations has reduced the risk of posttransfusion infections, especially hepatitis C. Today,