Epidemiology of hepatitis C in a population of hemodialysis patients.
A search for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) was performed in 185 patients on chronic hemodialysis by means of 1st and 2nd generation ELISA tests. Immunoblot assays were performed on positive sera. This study shows a 38% prevalence of HCV-positive patients in our dialysis population according to the 2nd generation ELISA test which shows a higher specificity and sensitivity when compared to the 1st generation one (38 vs. 20%). A correlation was found between the prevalence of HCV-positive patients and how long they had been on dialysis and how many blood transfusions they had received.
Mosconi
G
G
Institute of Nephrology, S. Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Campieri
C
C
Miniero
R
R
Colì
L
L
Orsi
C
C
La Manna
G
G
De Sanctis
L B
LB
Stefoni
S
S
Sprovieri
G
G
Bonomini
V
V
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies