title: [Hepatitis C serum prevalence in hemodialyzed patients].
abstract: The objectives of this study were to estimate the serum prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a dialysis center in the greater Recife region, and to correlate HCV serum positivity with some risk factors. Analyses were performed on 250 patients of both sexes, with ages ranging from 17 to 92 years old. Epidemiological data on these patients were obtained in order to determine the risk factors for this infection. Anti-HCV antibodies were investigated using fourth-generation ELISA. Statistically significant associations (p<0.05) were observed in relation to the risk factors of hemodialysis duration, number of blood component transfusions and time taken for transfusions. The prevalence was low (8.4%) in relation to other Brazilian studies. However, more studies in other centers are needed in order to estimate the real prevalence of HCV infection among patients undergoing hemodialysis in the State of Pernambuco.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, Recife, PE. lucianoamello@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Luciano de Albuquerque
authors.initials: Lde A
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Mario Ribeiro
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: de Melo-Junior
authors.forename: Ana Cecília Cavalcanti
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Albuquerque
authors.forename: Maria Rosângela Cunha Duarte
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Coelho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; 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