HCV infection in hemodialyzed patients: incidence and correlation with dialytic age.
Hemodialyzed patients mean an high-risk population for hepatitis C infection. Our work was performed to evaluate the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 51 hemodialyzed patients; the presence of anti-HCV antibodies was studied using the EIA and RIBA test of 1st and 2nd generation. 18 patients (35.29%) showed anti-HCV antibodies with the 1st test; 27 patients (52.94%) showed the presence of anti-HCV antibodies using 2nd generation test. The incidence of test positivity is not related to blood transfusions while it is strictly related with dialytic age. All HCV seropositive patients show antibodies against the c22-3 protein of "virus core". The presence in serum of anti-c22-3 antibodies means that in these patients, there is viral replication.
Giammaria
U
U
Divisione di Nefrologia e Dialisi, ULSS, L'Aquila, Italy.
De Meo
F
F
Acitelli
S
S
Tancredi
M
M
Daniele
M
M
Barnabei
R
R
Maschio
C
C
D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies