Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in hemodialysis patients [HEMODIYALIZ HASTALARINDA ANTI HCV SIKLIGI]

Frequent blood transfusions may be necessary in chronic hemodialysis patients secondary to chronic renal insufficiency. Hence, hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) occurs frequently in these patients. This study was explored the incidence of anti HCV in patients treated by hemodialysis. Anti HCV testing was done by a second generation enzyme-immunoassay method (ELISA). Anti HCV was positive in 13 of 90 hemodialysis patients (14.4%) who had been dialyzed for up to 108 months. Twelve of 74 patients were HbsAg positive (16.7%). Twelve of 13 anti HCV positive patients had a history of blood transfusions (92.3%). Average hemodialysis duration was 49.8 ± 35.5 months for anti HCV positive and 11.1 ± 6.7 months for negative patients. Anti HCV was positive in 47.4% of patients who required more than 10 units of blood transfusions, 10.3% who had between 1-10 units and 3.8% in patients without a history of blood transfusion. This study shows that the anti HCV prevalence is more frequent in hemodialysis patients compared to the control group. The amount of blood transfusions and duration of hemodialysis were responsible for the increased prevalence. No relation was found between positive hepatitis B serology, ALT levels and anti HCV positivity