Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic haemodialysis patients, a clinicopathologic study

Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1992;7(4):327-32. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.ndt.a092137.

Abstract

Fifty-two patients on regular haemodialysis at our institution were evaluated for the presence of HCV infection. Evaluation included detailed history, clinical examination, and monthly screening for anti-HCV antibody, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), serum iron and ferritin. Also, three-monthly screening for other viral markers, HBV (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb), CMV (IgG and IgM), EBV, and HIV. Anti-HCV antibody was found in 21 patients (40.4%). There was a significant (P less than 0.05) relationship between presence of anti-HCV antibody and proportion of patients who received blood transfusion. During a 12-month follow-up, four (11.4%) patients seroconverted to be Anti-HCV positive while one case (4.8%) seroconverted to be anti-HCV negative. The frequency of elevation of liver enzymes was significantly higher in Anti-HCV positive cases (14/18) than in negative cases (11/28, P = 0.01). Evaluation of liver biopsies of 13 patients showed chronic persistent hepatitis in six and chronic active hepatitis in seven cases. We concluded that hepatitis C is a common problem among chronic haemodialysis patients at our institution; HCV infection is documented in 70% of all clinically diagnosed NANB hepatitis. Presence of anti-HCV antibodies cannot differentiate between active and past infection and cases with early HCV infection can be missed when relying on the mere detection of anti-HCV antibodies.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Biomarkers
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / immunology
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C / etiology*
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Transfusion Reaction

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies
  • Alanine Transaminase