Molecular Diagnosis of the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) among Thalassemia Patients and its Relation to Different Clinical Factors

Abstract

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disease with abnormal hemoglobin chains, leading to anemia. Regular blood transfusions are often required for treatment, but they carry the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, including cytomegalovirus (CMV). Thalassemia patients are at increased risk of CMV-related complications due to frequent blood transfusions and potential iron overload. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) has emerged as a powerful tool for detecting and quantifying CMV DNA in biological samples. A study involved 150 patients with thalassemia, and thalassemia major being the most common subtype. The median frequency of blood transfusions was once every 4 weeks, ranging from every 3 weeks to every 6 weeks. Most patients (84.0%) received chelation therapy, with deferoxamine being the most commonly used chelator. Liver involvement was a common finding, with 64 patients (42.7%) presenting with an enlarged liver. CMV DNA positivity was significantly higher in patients with thalassemia major (42.4%) than those with thalassemia intermedia (21.9%). The study highlights the importance of routine CMV screening and monitoring in thalassemia patients to prevent potential complications.