Anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies and hepatitis C virus viraemia in haemodialysis patients.
Sera from 82 haemodialysis patients were tested for anti-HCV, HCV-RNA, and HBsAg. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was monitored weekly for 2 months. Anti-HCV was positive in 31 patients (37.8%), showing different single-peptide patterns. HCV-RNA was detected in 26 anti-HCV-positive patients (84%) and also in two of 21 anti-HCV-negative patients. Twenty-seven (87%) of the 31 anti-HCV-positive patients had persistently normal ALT values; 22 of these patients were HCV-RNA positive. The four patients with elevated ALT values had HCV viraemia. HBsAg was positive in nine anti-HCV-negative patients. The close correlation between HCV viraemia and HCV status, independently of ALT values, requires that anti-HCV dialysis patients must be considered potentially infective and dialysed with reserved machines and/or in separate shifts.
Picciotto
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy.
Varagona
G
G
Gurreri
G
G
Fiorini
F
F
Sofia
A
A
Coviello
D A
DA
Bonanni
P
P
Icardi
G C
GC
Valle
F
F
Celle
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014766:Viremia / Q000209:etiology*
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase