title: Similar HCV viral load levels and genotype distribution among end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis and HCV-infected patients with normal renal function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At present it is not clearly established if hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA levels and genotype distribution have any peculiar aspect in HCV-infected end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate in HCV-infected ESRD patients, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) profile, HCV-RNA levels and genotype distribution, comparing them with HCV-infected patients with normal renal function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in 66 hemodialysis patients (group 1) and 264 subjects with normal renal function (group 2). All participants in both groups had detectable HCV-RNA. Mean ALT levels were determined in all subjects as well the viral load and the genotype.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Groups were similar according to gender and age. ALT was normal in 74% patients in group 1 and in 23% in group 2 (p<0.001). The median viral load was 5.3 x 10(5) IU/mL in group 1 and 6.6 x 10(5) IU/mL in group 2 (p=0.23). Genotype 1b was the most prevalent in both groups (56% vs. 57%; p=0.38).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV-infected ESRD patients have lower ALT levels, but the viral load and the genotype distribution are similar to those observed in HCV-infected individuals with normal renal function.
authors.affiliation: Hepatology Division, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro - Brazil.
authors.forename: Henriete A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Cristiane A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Villela-Nogueira
authors.forename: Renata M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Segadas-Soares
authors.forename: Clarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gaburo
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.forename: Henrique Sérgio M
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Coelho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000821:virology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase