Association between pro-inflammatory cytokines and some viral infections in Beta-Thalassemia patients

Abstract

Thalassemia is a hereditary hemoglobin production defect.  Thalassemia major (TM) individuals need periodic blood transfusions to maintain an appropriate level of hemoglobin for supplying oxygen systems. Because of transfusion, these individuals have various problems such as infections, autoimmune diseases, and alloimmunization. The current research focuses on detecting the predictive roles of IgG, IgM, IL-8 and TNF-α in the pathogenesis of beta-thalassemia disease. The research was conducted in the Baquba/Diyala Governorate in Iraq from July to August- 2023. Fifty blood sample were obtained from beta-thalassemia patients (30 males and 20 females with age range among groups (1-30 years). In addition, fourteen samples were collected from Apparently individuals as a control group. IgG and IgM levels were detected by Cobas integra-400 plus machines. ELISA was used to determine the serum levels of the IL-8 and TNF-α. Most beta-thalassemia patients have no viral infections (66%), but a few of them have positive viral infections as follows: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (8%), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (14%), Parvovirus (B19) (6%), and HCV with HBV (6%). The levels of IgG and IgM and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-8) were significantly greater (p<0.05) in patients than in healthy ones. Most patients with beta-thalassemia are males less than 20 years old. A few of the patients have positive viral infections (HCV, HBV, and B19). The indicators of IgG, IgM, TNF-α, and IL-8 have significant role in the pathogenesis of beta-thalassemia due to their high sensitivity and specificity.