title: Abnormal alanine aminotransferase activity reflects exposure to hepatitis C virus in haemodialysis patients.
abstract: Prospective studies have shown that the annual incidence of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis may be high in haemodialysis patients. To assess whether hepatitis C virus (HCV), the major causative agent of post-transfusion and community-acquired NANB hepatitis, has a role in the pathogenesis of liver disease in dialysed patients, we have studied the prevalence and significance of antibodies to HCV in a cohort of patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic haemodialysis treatment. Seventy-four (30%) had circulating antibodies to HCV. Statistically significant associations with the anti-HCV carrier status were duration of haemodialysis treatment, blood transfusions, and the finding of abnormally elevated ALT on retrospective analysis. In contrast, only one of 103 dialysis staff members showed transient positivity for anti-HCV, suggesting a low risk of professional exposure to HCV. These findings suggests that HCV infection is relatively frequent in haemodialysis patients and may be responsible for a significant proportion of liver disease in this clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica delle Malattie Infettive, I.R.C.C.S. Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: M U
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Mondelli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Smedile
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gattarello
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raimondo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000410:Alanine Transaminase