[Antibodies to hepatitis C virus in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Salvador, BA, Brazil].
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C infection in hemodialysis units has been evaluated in different geographic regions.


OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of anti-HCV in patients undergoing hemodialysis program in the city of Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil, was studied and its association with transfusions, duration of hemodialysis and ALT elevation.


METHODS
During a period of 17 months, all patients undergoing dialytic treatment, were evaluated. The total number of patients was 395, all of whom completed a questionnaire and provided serum samples for laboratory analysis. Serological levels were measured for ALT and the samples were tested for anti-HCV using ELISA II with a further confirmation using RIBA III.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV was positive in 23.8% (94/395). The presence of transfusions was associated with anti-HCV and as the number of transfusions used increased, so did the frequency of anti-HCV. Of the patients who never received transfusions, 12.5% (6/48) were anti-HCV positive. The duration of dialytic treatment lasted from 53.44 +/- 36.45 months in the anti-HCV positive group and 22.10 +/- 22.75 months for the group testing negative. ALT elevation was more frequent in the anti-HCV positive group. Positivity for the RIBA III fractions was 79.8%, 100%, 80.9% and 52.1%, for c100-3, c33, c22 and NS5, respectively. The anti-NS5 was even less frequent in the group with elevated ALT.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of anti-HCV in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis in Salvador, Bahia, is elevated and it is associated with transfusions, a longer duration of dialytic treatment and ALT elevation.
Santana
G O
GO
Serviço de Gastroenterologia da Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA.
Cotrim
H P
HP
Mota
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Paraná
R
R
Santana
N P
NP
Lyra
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001782:Blood Donors; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000410:Alanine Transaminase