title: Increase of HCV RNA concentration during hemodialysis treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In hemodialysis (HD) patients, a decrease of serum HCV RNA concentration during HD has been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of two different extracorporeal blood treatments, HD and hemodiafiltration (HDF), on HCV RNA concentration under standardized conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven chronic HD patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and thirty-three non-uremic patients with CHC as controls were studied. Blood samples were collected at baseline (t=0 min), 30 min (t=30), and 180 min (t=180) after start of HD or HDF. HCV RNA concentrations were determined by a real-time PCR assay. Values obtained 30 min and 180 min after start of HD or HDF were adjusted according to the ultrafiltration-induced hemoconcentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline HCV RNA concentrations were found to be similar in dialysis patients and controls (2.9E+06 vs. 5.8E+06 IU/ml). After adjustment for hemoconcentration, no significant differences of HCV RNA concentrations were observed when HD versus HDF treatments and blood samples collected pre versus those collected post membrane were compared. Adjusted HCV RNA concentrations increased by 13% (not significant) at 30 min and by 56% (p<0.001) at 180 min after start of HD or HDF. Inhibitory effects on PCR through heparin and uremic toxins could be excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast to recent publications, a significant increase of serum HCV RNA within 180 min after start of HD or HDF was observed. Changes in serum HCV RNA concentration are independent from HD and HDF procedures, dialysis membrane, heparin concentration, and uremic toxins.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. csilla.putz-bankuti@medunigraz.at
authors.forename: Csilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Putz-Bankuti
authors.forename: Harald H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schilcher
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schneditz
authors.forename: Petra M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: Alexander R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
authors.forename: Rudolf E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Stauber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral