[Serological markers of hepatitis B virus and cytomegalovirus in patients with hemophilia]

Abstract

In 100 adult patients with severe haemophilia A (78 patients) and B (22 patients) sera were screened for the presence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and liver function tests were performed which included measurement of serum aminotransferase AST and ALT activities, total bilirubin concentration and plasma levels of factor VII and X. In all the patients at least one out of five determined HBV markers (HBsAg. HBeAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HBe) was detected. HBsAg was found in 10% of the patients, and its prevalence in haemophiliacs B was higher than than observed in haemophiliacs A (22.7% and 6.4%, respectively). HBsAg appeared more frequently in patients receiving factor VIII concentrates (16.7%) than in those treated with cryoprecipitate (4.5%). Anti-CMV antibody was detected in sera of 98% of the patients. In 1/3 samples of cryoprecipitate anti-HBc or anti-HBs were present, and in the half of samples anti-CMV occurred. Abnormal liver function tests indicating chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis were obtained in 8 patients. Raised ALT activity which could suggest chronic infection with non-A, non-B virus occurred in 6 cases. The present study indicates that haemophiliacs frequently transfused with plasma products are at high risk for viral infections leading to liver dysfunction.