title: Serologic survey for control of hepatitis C in haemodialysis patients: third-generation assays and analysis of costs.
abstract: There is little information about the serologic survey for control of hepatitis C by using third-generation assays among chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients, and no analysis of costs has been made to this end. A serologic survey for control of hepatitis C was performed in 190 HD patients attending a single dialysis unit, using second- and third-generation assays. Costs of both serologic surveys were calculated. Anti-HCV prevalence tested by third-generation assays increased from 25% (48/190) to 28% (53/190) compared to second-generation testing; 56% (9/16) of patients showing uncertain findings by second-generation tests gave unequivocal results by third-generation assays; median duration of HD treatment and raised aminotransferase levels were positively associated (P = 0.004 and P = 0.012, respectively) with anti-HCV detected by third-generation assays. The serologic survey for control of hepatitis C in HD patients at our centre was slightly more expensive by third-generation assays compared to second-generation testing (US$18866 vs US$17200 per year). In summary, the use of third-generation tests largely clarified the uncertain results of second-generation tests; new additional positive patients were detected by third-generation assays compared to second-generation testing. Third-generation assays showed the association of duration of HD treatment and raised aminotransferase levels with anti-HCV antibody, as previously found by first- and second-generation assays. To date, third-generation screening and confirmatory assays seem extremely useful in the serologic survey for control of hepatitis C in HD centres without a considerable outlay.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, Lecco Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fabrizi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lunghi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raffaele
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Guarnori
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bacchini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Erba
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase