[Hepatitis C serum prevalence in hemodialyzed patients].
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.
Mello
Luciano de Albuquerque
Lde A
Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami, Recife, PE. lucianoamello@hotmail.com
de Melo-Junior
Mario Ribeiro
MR
de Albuquerque
Ana Cecília Cavalcanti
AC
Coelho
Maria Rosângela Cunha Duarte
MR
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*
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies