Nephrol Dial Transplant (1998) 13: 731–734 Nephrology Dialysis TransplantationBrief Report Hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients on renal replacement therapy

Abstract ment therapy [1–3]. The majority of these patients Background. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infec- acquire HCV through transfusion of unscreened blood tion is prevalent among patients on renal replacement products, while the renal allograft and nosocomial therapy. Viral genomic diVerences can contribute to transmission during haemodialysis represent other diversities in clinical manifestation. The distribution of modes of infection [4–7]. Once infected, spontaneous HCV genotypes depends on the geographical region clearance of HCV is rare. The clinical consequences of and risk factors unique to the patient population. We chronic HCV infection in these patients are variable, determined the HCV genotypes in patients on renal ranging from a carrier state with minimal hepatic replacement therapy in order to define the genotypic pathology to rapidly progressive chronic active hepat-profile and examine the relationship between genotype, itis and cirrhosis [8–10]. There is accumulating evid-mode of renal replacement therapy, and the prevalence ence that viral factors may play a role in the as well as severity of liver disease. pathogenesis of liver disease. Methods. HCV genotypes were determined by restric- HCV can be classified into six major genotypic tion fragment length polymorphism and sequencing of groups according to the nucleotide sequence in diVerent the 5’-untranslated region in 21 renal allograft recipi- regions of the genome [11]. Genotypic diVerences hav