Repository of Research and Investigative Information

Repository of Research and Investigative Information

Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences

Patient-to-Patient Transmission of Hepatitis C at Iranian Thalassemia Centers Shown by Genetic Characterization of Viral Strains

(2013) Patient-to-Patient Transmission of Hepatitis C at Iranian Thalassemia Centers Shown by Genetic Characterization of Viral Strains. Hepatitis Monthly. p. 9. ISSN 1735-143X

[img] Text
Patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis C at Iranian thalassemia centers shown by genetic characterization of viral strains.pdf

Download (1MB)

Official URL: http://apps.webofknowledge.com/InboundService.do?F...

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is prevalent among thalassemia patients in Iran. It is mainly transfusion mediated, in particular among patients treated before 1996 when blood screening was introduced. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate why patients still seroconvert to anti-HCV in Iranian thalassemia centers. Patients and Methods: During 2006-2007 sera were sampled from 217 anti-HCV positive thalassemia patients at nine thalassemia centers in Tehran and Amol city, where 34 (16) patients had been infected after 1996. The HCV subtype could be determined by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial NS5B and/or 5'NCR-core region in 130 strains. Results: 1a (53) was predominant followed by 3a (30), 1b (15), and one strain each of 2k, 3k and 4a. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 19 clades with up to five strains diverging with less than six nucleotides from each other within subtypes la and 3a. Strains in seven clades were from nine patients infected between 1999 and 2005 and similar to strains from eight patients infected before 1996, indicating ongoing transmission at the centers. Further epidemiological investigation revealed that 28 patients infected with strains within the same clade had frequently been transfused at the same shift sitting on the same bed. An additional eight patients with related strains had frequently been transfused simultaneously in the same room. Conclusions: The results suggest nosocomial transmission at these thalassemia centers both before and after the introduction of blood screening. Further training of staff and strict adherence to preventive measures are thus essential to reduce the incidence of new HCV infections.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: Hepatitis C Thalassemia Iran nosocomial transmission phylogenetic analysis transfused patients hcv infection virus epidemiology colonoscopy genotype region Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Divisions:
Page Range: p. 9
Journal or Publication Title: Hepatitis Monthly
Journal Index: ISI
Volume: 13
Number: 1
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.76
ISSN: 1735-143X
Depositing User: مهندس مهدی شریفی
URI: http://eprints.bmsu.ac.ir/id/eprint/6151

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item