Incidence of hepatitis C infection in patients on hemodialysis: a multicenter study of northern part of Iran.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the perilous problems in hemodialysis (HD) centers around the world. There are many risk factors regarding HCV infection in HD units. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of HCV infection in HD units and also to assess the potential risk factors in this regard. A total of 334 patients on regular HD were evaluated. All the patients were seronegative for anti-HCV antibody in the beginning of this study. They were followed every 6 months with repetition of tests. Positive samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for confirmation. The prevalence of HCV infection was about 20%. No significant relationship between numbers of blood transfusion, age and sex was obtained. A positive correlation between HCV infection and duration of HD for more than 5 years was significant. In conclusion, our study found the prevalence of HCV infection to be significantly higher than its incidence in the general population.
Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Firouzgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. zamani.farhad@gmail.com
Farhad
F
Zamani
Mitra
M
Ameli
Sara
S
Razmjou
Ramin
R
Shakeri
Afsaneh
A
Amiri
Rasoul
R
Darvish
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007492:Iran; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral