title: Prolonged time until seroconversion among hemodialysis patients: the need for HCV PCR.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are known to have an elevated risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Therefore, a reliable diagnosis of HCV infection is essential in order to prevent the spread of the disease in dialysis units. However, whether PCR examination is dispensable in hemodialysis patients has been debated.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1995 to 2002, serum samples from all hemodialysis patients at our hospital (n = 1,774) were screened by serological assays and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 25 of these patients acute HCV infection was observed and in 11 patients HCV seroconversion was delayed for 3-16 months. During this time the infection was exclusively detectable by PCR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the growing demand for cost-effectiveness in the health system, HCV PCR examination must remain an essential part of the routine screening in hemodialysis patients.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Klinisch-Theoretische Medizin I, Institut für Infektionsmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, DE-20246 Hamburg, Germany. mschroet@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schroeter
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zoellner
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polywka
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laufs
authors.forename: Heinz-Hubert
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Feucht
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies