Phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analysis of SENV DNA isolated from Iraqi Hepatitis Patients

SEN Virus (SENV) is a newly discovered group of transmissible, hepatotropic, single-stranded, circular, non-enveloped DNA viruses that are distantly linked to the widely distributed Torque Teno Virus (TTV) family. This research aimed to use nucleotide sequencing to identify the genetic alterations of SEN-V and to investigate the similarities between isolates. Seven DNA samples of SENV, which were previously extracted from blood of post transfusion hepatitis, were used to identify the genetic variation of SEN-V by nucleotide sequencing. According to the current analysis results, specific primer pairs were used to detect SENV DNA sequences isolated from Iraqi patients with hepatitis; however, those specific primers can also detect two new variants of SENV that are closely related to the Torque Teno Virus. In addition, four SENV isolates showed several substitution mutations, and one of them revealed the replacement of Proline (P) at position 11 with Serine (S). Only one local isolate of SENV was 100% identical to the Iranian isolate (GenBank acc. no. GQ452051.1) from thalassemia.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus among Healthy Blood Donors in Tertiary Care Hospital

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) & Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are transfusion transmissible infections. A study was conducted from September, 2015 to March, 2016 at the Transfusion Medicine Department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic hepatitis B and C virus in apparently healthy blood donors, were subjected to ELISA for screening of hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C virus. A total of 200 blood donors were screened, the seroprevalence of HBV & HCV infection was 5.0% & 2.0% respectively. The HBV seroprevalence in male donors was 182/8 (4.4%) and in female donors was 18/2 (11.1%). Four donors were found seropositive for HCV giving a seroprevalence of 2%. HCV seroprevalence in male was 182/4 (2.2%) and no female. Seroprevalence of HCV and HBV were higher in younger donors, service holders, married respondents and middle class donors. To reduce the prevalence of post-transfusion hepatitis and stringent donor screening procedure, routine screening for HBV & HCV in blood banks should be performed using more sensitive methods (ELISA).TAJ 2015; 28(1): 26-31

Prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections in children with inherited coagulation disorders

Background: Factor replacement and blood product transfusion are the main stay of treatment of inherited coagulation disorders. Even though interventions with these products have led to the decrease in morbidity and mortality of these patients, repeated use of these products especially before 1980s where the viral inactivation of factors and blood bank screening methods were not stringent, have led to the occurrence of transfusion transmitted diseases in haemophiliacs especially hepatitis C infection.Methods: 50 children including adolescents under the age of 18 years with inherited coagulation disorders were screened for hepatitis B and C infection during 2 medical camps conducted at an interval of 6 months, blood samples and medical information were collected prospectively during these periods. The blood samples were tested for surrogate marker for hepatitis B and anti HCV using enzyme immunoassay.Results: All the children screened were negative for hepatitis B and C markers.Conclusions: The incidence of post transfusion hepatitis has dramatically decreased following stringent blood donor screening methods as well as availability of purified and recombinant factors. The current risk of transfusion transmitted infections in these patients are very low almost comparable with general population.

Sero-Prevalence of Anti HCV Among Blood Donors Attended at Transfusion Medicine Department of DMCH in 2013

Bacground: Post transfusion hepatitis through blood and blood product is still very high in our country. This present study was carried out to find out the prevalence of sero Positive of anti HCV among the blood donors attended at transfusion medicine department of DMCH in 2013 and also to prevent transmission of HCV infection through blood transfusion.Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out at transfusion medicine department of DMCH from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013.Total blood donors were 27,560. Among total 31890 blood donors, relative donors were 25,773.and remaining 6,117 donors were voluntary donors. Blood donors of 18 - 60 years of both sexes were included in this study. Among 31,890 blood donors relative blood donors were 25,773(80.81%), voluntary blood donors were 6,117.(19.18%)Among 31,890 blood donors Anti HCV Sero positive were 33(0.1034%).Result: Among total blood donors male and female were 25,880 ( 81.15 % ) and 6010 (18.85 %) respectively. Age ranges of donors were 18 -40 years 28500 (86.23 % ) and 41 -60 years 3390 (10.63 %).Conclusion: Frequency of HCV seropositive among donors were 33 (.1034 %).Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 25-27