Prevalence of hepatitis A and B infections in multiply transfused thalassaemic patients

Abstract

Evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections was sought in 148 multiply transfused patients with thalassaemia and in healthy controls (2040 for HBV and 217 for HAV). The prevalence of the HBV surface antigen or antibody to it was significantly higher in patients than in controls and increased with the number of blood transfusions. In contrast, the prevalence of antibody to HAV was significantly lower in patients than in controls and decreased with the number of blood transfusions. © 1978, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.