Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Hepatitis C Antibodies in Sickle Cell Disease Children under Sixteen in Two University Hospitals of Lome

Introduction: Sickle cell disease causes chronic anemia with the need for transfusions. The risk in children to get transfusions transmitted infections is high.

Aims: Determine the prevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in sickle cell disease children under sixteen in Lome (Togo).

Study Design: It is a cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Haematology Unit of Campus University Hospital and Paediatric Unit of Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital of Lomé collected between February to May 2016. Sample processing: Campus Hospital Laboratory.

Methodology: We collected blood in sickle cell disease patients in Campus and Sylvanus Olympio university hospitals at Lomé and informations about sickle cell type, transfusion, and hepatitis B vaccination. Sera were tested with Cobas e411 Roche® in the determining of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSAg) and hepatitis C antibodies (HCVAb). Epi Info was used for statiscal analysis ®. Significant associations were found when P<0.05.

Results: Total of 172 patients from Campus Hospital and 79 from Sylvanus Olympio were included. Sex ratio and SS phenotype were 0.93, 69.8% and 1.32, 64.5% respectively. HBsAg was detected in 1.7% from Campus and 7.6% in Sylvanus Olympio. One patient from Campus carried HCVAb. Significant association between hepatitis B and sex (P=0.02) and hepatitis B and vaccination were found (P= 0.0003). Males were more infected and patients who were unvaccinated carried HBsAg.

Conclusion: Vaccination against viral hepatitis and best blood donation screening are necessary to avoid these viral diseases in sickle cell disease children.