title: Kinetics of hepatitis C virus load and hemodialysis: is there any influence of the reuse of dialysis membrane on HCV viremia?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on regular hemodialysis are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although controversial, a distinct dynamic of the HCV load has been reported in this group - a lower HCV viremia compared to non-uremic patients. The reasons for this remain unclear, but the host immune response related to the hemodialysis procedure and the reuse of dialysis membranes are the most investigated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the kinetics of HCV RNA viremia in 21 hemodialysis patients infected with genotype 1, through a highly sensitive quantitative method (real-time polymerase chain reaction), immediately before and at the end of the first use and the last reuse of the cellulose diacetate dialysis membrane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial HCV load did not correlate with demographic or biochemical parameters, but higher HCV viremia was associated with a longer time on hemodialysis (r = 0.44, p = 0.04). Although not significant, HCV RNA decreased in 11/21 (52.3%) patients after the first dialysis session (median 279,000 vs 176,000 IU/ml, p = 0.91). However, a significant increase in HCV RNA viremia was observed in 17/21 (80.9%) patients after the tenth session (median 187,000 vs 342,000 IU/ml, p = 0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Except for the first session of hemodialysis, we did not confirm a decrease in HCV viremia related to the time on hemodialysis or with the reuse of the dialysis membrane. Factors other than the reuse of the dialysis membrane might be involved in the multifaceted kinetics of HCV RNA in CKD patients on hemodialysis.
authors: Hospital Felício Rocho, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors: Ronaldo Soares
authors: RS
authors: Martins
authors: Olindo Assis
authors: OA
authors: Martins Filho
authors: Neiva Sellan Lopes
authors: NS
authors: Gonçales
authors: Dora Méndez
authors: DM
authors: del Castillo
authors: Luciana Diniz
authors: LD
authors: Silva
authors: Luciana Costa
authors: LC
authors: Faria
authors: Rosangela
authors: R
authors: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral