title: The pursuit of hepatitis in dialysis units.
abstract: Chronic hemodialysis patients were prospectively followed at monthly intervals with hepatitis B serologic (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) and aminotransferase determinations. Over this 1 year, 53/176 (30%) had two or more abnormal aminotransferase values. In at least 34 of these 53 patients, viral liver disease appeared to be the responsible factor. Although patients with anti-HBc were more likely to have abnormal aminotransferases, it is probable that most viral hepatitis in dialysis units is due to non-A, non-B hepatitis. After a further 2 1/2 years of follow-up, no clinical evidence of hepatic failure was seen in any of the patients with hepatitis. The ultimate course of this disease, however, is not yet established.
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D002140:California; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D000410:Alanine Transaminase