Hepatitis C virus in dialysis units: a multicenter study.
Three hundred and eighty-seven chronic hemodialysis patients were evaluated, in a multicenter study, to investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus. In anti-HCV seropositive patients, serum ALT values and blood transfusions were retrospectively compared; blood donors were studied for serum transaminases. In seropositive patients without previous blood transfusions, analysis of dialysis schedule was done. Eventually, the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus was studied in 104 family members. The prevalence of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients was 15.7%. The incidence of acute hepatitis was frequent, while chronic hepatitis incidence was less than expected (17.5%). Intrafamilial diffusion was low (1.9%). Blood-transfusion-related infections seem to be negligible, while cross-contamination in dialysis units seems to be very important.
Da Porto
A
A
Department of Nephrology, General Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
Adami
A
A
Susanna
F
F
Calzavara
P
P
Poli
P
P
Castelletto
M R
MR
Amici
G P
GP
Teodori
T
T
Okolicsanyi
L
L
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; 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; D000410:Alanine Transaminase