The Course of Hepatitis C Infection and Response to Anti-viral Therapy in Patients with Thalassemia major and Hepatitis C Infection: A Longitudinal, Prospective Study.

Background: The course of hepatitis C infection (HCV) in patients with thalassemia has not been adequately studied, and management has not been optimized. The current prospective longitudinal study assessed the clinical course, outcome, progression, and management of recently acquired HCV in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major versus acute HCV without thalassemia.

Methods: A well-characterized cohort of patients with thalassemia and recent HCV infection or recent HCV without thalassemia were enrolled and prospectively followed.