Human parvovirus B19 among hemophilia A patients in Basrah, Southern Iraq

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia A patients, especially if there is shortage in recombinant Factor VIII concentrate, may require occasional blood and/blood products transfusion, rendering them more susceptible to acquire infections including Parvo B19 virus (B19V). OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence of B19V viral DNA among hemophilia A patients and look for its possible association with disease-related variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This case–control study was carried out from October 2019 to August 2020. A total of 95 male patients with Hemophilia A and 95 healthy subjects matched for age and gender were enrolled in the study. The identification of B19V DNA was achieved using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg.) were tested by ELISA method. RESULTS: The frequency of B19V among hemophilia A patients was 13.7% compared to 6.3% among healthy subjects. None of the control group has been tested positive for HCV antibodies or HBsAg. While among patients, the frequencies of hepatitis C and B were 8.4% and 2.1%, respectively. Patients with hemophilia A and B19V have significantly higher rate of arthropathy at the time of blood sampling and blood and/blood products transfusion, especially fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and cryoprecipitate compared to those who did not receive such blood products (92.3% vs. 50%), P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Parvovirus B19 was detected in a significant proportion of hemophilia patients especially those with a history of FFP and cryoprecipitate transfusion. The use of PCR technique is essential to detect viruses in donor's blood to avoid infection among this high-risk group.