Immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in multi-transfused thalassemic patients with and without hepatitis C infection: a comparative study with healthy controls.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent in thalassemic patients. This may decrease serum antibody response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. There is also some alteration in the immune system of multi-transfused thalassemic patients as a consequence of iron overload.