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- Title
Natural history of hepatitis C in thalassemia major: a long-term prospective study.
- Authors
Lai, Maria E.; Origa, Raffaella; Danjou, Fabrice; Leoni, Gian B.; Vacquer, Stefania; Anni, Franco; Corrias, Claudia; Farci, Patrizia; Congiu, Giovanna; Galanello, Renzo
- Abstract
Background Transfusion-acquired hepatitis C virus ( HCV) remains an important problem among patients with thalassemia. In this study, we evaluated the natural history of post-transfusional hepatitis C in thalassemia major, paying special attention to spontaneous viral clearance, to factors influencing the chronicity rate and fibrosis progression. Design and Methods A prospective study to evaluate the incidence and etiology of transfusion-related hepatitis was started in 1980. In patients who developed hepatitis C, HCV RNA, ALT, and ferritin were measured over time. The correlation between interleukin-28B gene polymorphisms and viral clearance was also analyzed. Results Seventy-three of 135 patients (62.2%) acquired HCV. An extended follow-up (22 to 30 yr) with HCV RNA assessment was available in 52 patients. Of them, 23 (44.2%) cleared the virus. The proportion of IL-28B genotypes was different between the subjects who cleared the virus and the subjects who did not. Fibrosis progression was similar in HCV RNA-positive and HCV RNA-negative patients. Liver iron was the only factor associated with the fibrosis. Conclusions In thalassemia patients with HCV infection, liver iron does not play a major role in influencing the chronicity rate, whereas it is significantly associated with the fibrosis.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C; THALASSEMIA; LIVER diseases; HEMOLYTIC anemia; HEMOGLOBINOPATHY
- Publication
European Journal of Haematology, 2013, Vol 90, Issue 6, p501
- ISSN
0902-4441
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/ejh.12086