Abstract
Haemophilic patients (n = 90) and household contacts (n = 40) were tested for serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and elevated serum aminotransferases using commercially prepared reagents. Of the haemophiliacs 41% tested positive for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV); 36% antibodies to hepatits B core antigen (anti-HBc); 54% antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and 2% hepatitis B surface antigen. On the other hand, 29% patients and 90% for all of the viral markers. Anti-HCV positivity in the haemophilic patients correlated positively with anti-HBc (p < 0.025). Increasing age (odds ratio 2.09; p < 0.01), severity of disease (odds ratio 6.2; p < 0.05) and the requirement for transfusion (odds ratio 3.2; p < 0.05) were risk factors for anti-HCV positivity. The presence of anti-HBc (odds ratio 3.8; p < 0.01) and coinfection with HCV and HBV also correlated positively with age (odds ratio 2.5; p < 0.01).
The provision of anti-HCV screened donor blood and virally inactivated blood products for treatment of all haemophilic patients are goals that must be achieved.