Hepatitis C and hemodialysis: a review

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a serious public health problem throughout the world; chronic renal patients are highly exposed to this infection. This could be due to a failure to identify carriers of this disease or because of a lack of truly effective biosafety measures implemented in the dialysis units. Molecular biology techniques have allowed for the understanding of this virus in detail, including its replication mechanisms. Epidemiological studies have been made throughout the world, with the goal of determining the dissemination dynamics of this agent, in addition to examining the predominance of the different genotypes, and the possible mutants that are involved. Many questions must still be answered concerning infection by Hepatitis C virus (HCV); this is especially important for immunosuppressed patients.

Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C: An update # † ‡

“…Data from 8,615 patients in hemodialysis units screened for HCV in seven countries revealed the presence of the virus in a mean of 13.5%, ranging from 2.6% in the United Kingdom to 22.9% in Spain; the rate in U.S. units was 14.9% 235. Even higher rates have been reported from dialysis units in some developing countries 238, 239. A national survey in U.S. dialysis centers in the year 2000 found anti‐HCV to be present in 8.4% of patients and in 1.7% of staff 237.…”

Change in hepatitis C virus genotype in hemodialysis patients after end‐of‐treatment response to interferon monotherapy—relapse or re‐infection?

“…A recent review also showed that Italy and France had a prevalence of HCV in dialysis patients of 20.5% and 10.4%, respectively [Prati, 2006]. In Brazil, the prevalence is even higher, ranging from 35.5% in the Southeast region to 45.5% in the Northern region [Moreira et al, 2005]. Extremely high prevalences of 94.7% have been reported from Saudi Arabia [Huraib et al, 1995] and from Moldavia with 75% [Covic et al, 1999].…”

Study of incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients

“…[11] Hence, although the potential sources of nosocomial transmission could be dialyzer reuse, internal contamination of HD monitors, environmental aerosols, droplets contaminated with the virus and contaminated hands and articles, the two former mechanisms are almost unlikely. [12] The performance parameters of the testing method used have a direct impact on the detection of hepatitis C and thus can lead to differences in the prevalence data.…”