Objetivando determinar a prevalência da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite B (HBV) em hemofílicos em Goiás, analisar os fatores de risco associados e avaliar a resposta vacinal contra hepatite B, 102 pacientes foram entrevistados e amostras sangüíneas coletadas para detecção dos seguintes marcadores sorológicos: HBsAg, anti-HBs e anti-HBc. Uma prevalência global de 43,7% (IC 95%: 33,5-54,2) para infecção pelo HBV foi encontrada. A análise multivariada dos fatores de risco mostrou que o número de episódios transfusionais e sorologia positiva para o vírus da hepatite C estiveram significantemente associados à positividade ao HBV. Foram identificados 49 (48,1%) hemofílicos susceptíveis a esta infecção, sendo imunizados 30 pacientes com a vacina recombinante Euvax-B. Destes, 28 (93,3%) indivíduos apresentaram títulos de anti-HBs maiores que 10 UI/L, o que mostra uma boa resposta à vacina. Os achados deste estudo ressaltam a importância das medidas de controle e prevenção da hepatite B nesta população.

In order to study the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B in hemophiliacs in Goiás, 102 patients were interviewed and blood samples collected and screened for the following serological markers: HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc. An overall prevalence of 43.7% (95% IC: 33.5-54.2) was found to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Multivariate analysis of risk factors showed that the number of transfusions and positive serology for hepatitis C virus were significantly associated with HBV positivity. There were 48 (48.1%) susceptible patients for this infection, of whom 30 were immunized with the Euvax-B vaccine. Among them, 28 (93.3%) individuals developed anti-HBs titers higher than 10 IU/L. Thus, a good response was observed in the studied population. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of strategies of control and prevention of hepatitis B in this population.

In order to investigate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence and risk factors in hemophiliacs in Central Brazil, 90 patients were interviewed and serum samples tested for HCV RNA and anti-HCV antibodies. An overall prevalence of 63.3% (CI 95%: 53.0-72.7) was found. Multivariate analysis of risk factors showed that number of blood transfusions was significantly associated with this infection. Most hemophiliacs received locally produced cryoprecipitate. All infected patients were transfused before the screening of blood units for anti-HCV. However, hemophiliacs who received exclusively screened cryoprecipitate were HCV negative. It confirms the expected decline in transfusion-acquired hepatitis C.