Introduction:
People who have multiple transfusions, such as Beta-thalassemia patients, are at risk for the hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection. The aim of the study was the determination of serological prevalence of HGV and its associated factors in beta-thalassemia major patients in Jahrom-Iran.
Material and Methods:
This cross-sectional study, was done on 91 beta-thalassemia patients referring to the thalassemia center, Jahrom-Iran, 2021. Blood samples were collected from the patients and anti-HGV antibodies were evaluated by ELISA methods. Serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and demographic data were extracted from patients' medical records. Descriptive analysis, X2, and T-test were used for statistical analyses by SPSS-16.
Results:
The prevalence anti-HGV IgG and IgM were 18.7 % and 5.5 %, respectively. There were significant relationships between the frequencies of anti-HGV antibodies and serum level of ALT, ASL, ALP and also with the history time of transfusion (P<0.05). But, there were no significant relationships between the frequencies of anti-HGV antibodies with patients' sex and the mean of age (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
HGV is one of the etiologic factors of hepatitis in thalassemia patients in Jahrom. Further comprehensive and molecular-based studies are recommended to explore the prevalence of HGV and its role in hepatitis thalassemia patients.