Iron Overload and Serum and Saliva Ferritin Levels in Individuals with Beta Thalassemia Needing Several Blood Transfusions

Iron overload in individuals with beta thalassemia major is mostly caused by blood transfusion treatment. Since the human body lacks a method for excreting extra iron, iron overload is unavoidable in individuals with thalassemia major who require regular blood transfusions. Because exfoliative cytology is a rapid, easy, painless, and bloodless treatment, it is an attractive assessment. The main intracellular iron-storage protein, ferritin, is released in minute amounts into the body's plasma and helps to maintain iron in a soluble, non-toxic state. In the absence of inflammation, the amount of the body's total iron reserves is positively correlated with the concentration of this plasma (or serum) ferritin. When compared to blood, saliva offers major biochemical and logistical benefits, making it one of the most essential bodily fluids for diagnostic purposes. The diseases associated with iron overload are attributed to the significant increase in ferritin levels in saliva. The objectives of the study were as follows: 1. To measure the levels of iron overload in patients with beta-thalassemia major using oral exfoliative cytology with the special Perl's Prussian blue stain. 2. ELISA was used to measure the ferritin level (iron overload) in the serum and saliva of individuals with beta thalassemia major. 3. To compare the amounts of ferritin in their serum and saliva with the Prussian blue staining positivity of each individual. Smears were extracted from the buccal mucosa of thirty healthy people in the same age range (6-26 years) and sixty β-thalassemia major patients who had received at least ten transfusions. Prussian blue stain kit from Perl was used to stain smears. To estimate ferritin levels, blood and saliva samples were simultaneously obtained from the control and study group. Positivity of Prussian blue was evaluated using predetermined grading standards. 48 out of 60 thalassemic patients (80%) had Perl's positivity, which was positively correlated with ferritin levels in the saliva and serum. Patients with β-thalassemia major can have their iron overload evaluated using coloring peeled cells from the oral mucosa.