title: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immune deficiency Virus Seroconversion Positivity Rates and Their Potential Risk Factors Among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis in Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maintenance hemodialysis is a high-risk environment for transmission of blood-borne viruses. We aimed to assess the seroconversion rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infections in patients on maintenance hemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with serology records at initiation of hemodialysis, and a minimum duration on hemodialysis of 4 months were included. Baseline demographic and clinical data were recorded. Patients were tested with a third and fourth generation immune-enzymatic assay for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HCV antibodies, respectively. For HIV, a rapid Ag/Ab combo test and an ImmunoComb II HIV (for confirmation) were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-seven patients, 66% men, mean age of 51 ± 14 years and mean duration on hemodialysis of 32.8 ± 27.5 months, were included. Seroprevalence at dialysis initiation was 6.2%, 20.6%, and 9.3%, respectively, for HBV, HCV, and HIV. Ninety patients (92.8%) received blood transfusions while on hemodialysis. Seroconversion rates were 1.1% for hepatitis B surface antigen, 11.8%, for anti-HCV antibodies, and 0.0% for HIV. Longer duration on dialysis was associated with HCV seroconversion (62.7 months versus 29.2 months, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seroconversion rate in hemodialysis was high for HCV, low for HBV, and nil for HIV. Longer duration on dialysis was associated with HCV seroconversion. Our study suggests an urgent need to lay emphasis on universal precaution measures in order to reduce the risk of hepatitis seroconversion in the unit.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala; Department of Internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon. patricehalle@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Marie-Patrice
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Halle
authors.forename: Simeon-Pierre
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Choukem
authors.forename: Francois Folefack
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Kaze
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ashuntantang
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tchamago
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mboue-Djieka
authors.forename: Elvis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Temfack
authors.forename: Henry Namme
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Luma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069078:Seroconversion; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015488:HIV Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies