title: [Prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infected patients on hemodialysis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, observational study, 205 patients, 37 (18%) of them with chronic HCV infection, were followed up for a one-year period at Department of Hemodialysis, Sarajevo Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo. The following parameters were analyzed: dialysis duration, sex, PCR RNA, HCV genotypes and biochemical parameters. Thirteen anti-HCV PCR RNA positive patients were treated with pegylated interferon alpha (Pegasys, Hoffman-La Roche). The goal of therapy was to reach sustained virologic response. The presence of anti-HCV antibodies in serum was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 37 anti-HCV positive patients, there were 20 (54%) males and 17 (45.9%) females with the mean hemodialysis duration of 143.67 +/- 57.64 months and mean age of 54.45 +/- 8.93 years. Of 37 anti-HCV positive patients, 30 (81.08%) patients were HCV RNA PCR positive. Among HCV RNA PCR positive patients, two had up to twofold elevated ALT values, one had twofold elevated AST values, and one had sixfold elevated GGT values. Thirteen RNA PCR positive patients were treated with pegylated interferon alfa for 48 weeks. Only one patient had genotype 1 virus. Upon therapy completion, only three patients were negative by PCR RNA (genotype 1b, 23.07%) at six months and yearly follow ups remained PCR negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sustained virologic response was achieved in three study patients. Monitoring guidelines for infection control, isolation of seropositive patients, and strict hygienic preventive measures can prevent HCV seroconversion in hemodialysis patients.
authors: Department of Hemodialysis, Sarajevo Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. halima.resic@undt.ba
authors: Halima
authors: H
authors: Resić
authors: Fahrudin
authors: F
authors: Masnić
authors: Zora
authors: Z
authors: Vukobrat-Bijedić
authors: Nihad
authors: N
authors: Kukavica
authors: Aida
authors: A
authors: Corić
authors: Amela
authors: A
authors: Bećiragić
authors: Selma
authors: S
authors: Ajanović
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a