title: Hepatitis C: reality of a renal unit.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) seems to be the most important agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis. This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C in our renal unit. Twelve patients (29%) had antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV). Seropositive patients were on hemodialysis for a longer period than seronegatives. Statistically significant associations with anti-HCV were: blood transfusions, at least 1 episode of elevated value of transaminases (2-fold) and fluctuations of transaminases. Our findings confirm the high prevalence of anti-HCV in hemodialyzed patients, the importance of parenteral transmission and the high probability of liver disease in anti-HCV-positive patients.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Nefrologia e Dialisi, Ospedale Predabissi, Melegnano, Italy.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bracchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Orazi
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lupi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bronzieri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cornalba
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies