![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Thalassaemic patients present a very serious public health problem in developing countries due to continuous requirement of large quantities of properly screened blood. (El-Gawhary et al, 2007). They are at high risk of acquiring a number of viral infections during multiple blood transfusions of these infections, hepatitis B & C viruses are the most common. Preventing these infections is mandatory to improve survival &quality of life of thalassaemic patients. In recent years, after the identification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and introduction of diagnostic tests able to detect antibodies against HCV, this virus was recognized as the major cause of post-transfusion hepatitis. (Alter, 2001) (Miyamura et al, 2001) (Watanabe et al, 2003). Iron overload is an independent cause of liver dysfunction in thalassaemics, yet a relationship exits between liver disease, iron status and HCV infection. This is attributed to hepatotoxicity and siderosis . (Prati et al, 1998a). However some cases of post- transfusion hepatitis have been described that are not related to known viral agents and cannot be prevented by current techniques for donor selection. (Blajchman et al, 1998) (Alter et al, 1998). A small but significant cases are negative for all kn |