Prevalence of HCV antibodies in a uraemic population undergoing maintenance dialysis therapy and in the staff members of the dialysis unit.
We studied, by both 1st and 2nd generation assay, the prevalence rate of HCVAb in a population of 141 dialysis patients, 37 transplanted patients and 55 staff members. From this study emerges a higher sensitivity of the 2nd generation HCVAb test (15.38 versus 36.79% of positive responses, respectively), and a significant positive correlation between lengths of dialysis period. We have not found a significant difference between HCVAb-positive and -negative patients in relation to the blood transfusions. None of the 21 CAPD patients (home dialysis) resulted positive, even if transfused. Two nurses were positive. In our experience, the environmental factor seems more important. Since the isolation of the positive patients is an effective but not feasible measure, it is necessary to improve the operating management of the hemodialysis sessions, avoiding any contact between patients via material (instrumentation, monitors) and teaching the staff members to use severe preventive standards with all hemodialysis patients.
Besso
L
L
Department of Nephrology, Santa Croce Hospital, Cuneo, Italy.
Rovere
A
A
Peano
G
G
Menardi
G
G
Fenoglio
L M
LM
Fenoglio
S
S
Ghezzi
P M
PM
D003428:Cross Infection / 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; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014511:Uremia / Q000628:therapy
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies