Hepatitis C Virus among Iraqi Patients on Renal Dialysis, Some Immunological Profiles

Abstract

Back ground: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common chronic liver disease at present, and HCV infection is found with variable prevalence in dialysis populations in different parts of the world.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of sialic acid and immunoglobulins level in the sera of patients with chronic renal failure whom infected with Hepatitis C virus, and the effect of hemodialysis on them.Patients&Methods: Regarding to this aim, total sialic acid levels (TSA) and immunoglobulins level were studied on the blood samples of 20 patients with chronic renal failure + Hepatitis C virus (positive group) and 20 patients with chronic renal failure (negative group) and 20 healthy volunteers. Serum TSA determinations were carried out by the resorcinol method.Results: In (positive group), the mean of TSA concentration (after hemodialysis treatment) was 68 ± 2.9 mg/dl, and the mean of TSA concentration in (negative group) was 110.7 ±7.5 mg/dl, while the mean TSA level in healthy control group was 58.3 ± 1.7 mg/dl. Also, this study aimed to assess serum concentration of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgM and IgA. Serum IgG was increased in patients of (positive group) and (negative group) with respect to control healthy (6.1, 5.5, 5.4 respectively) (p<0.05).There was no significant difference between the third groups in serum IgM concentration (6.6, 6, 6.2 respectively).Also in serum IgA concentration (5.8, 6, 5.5 respectively).Conclusion: We conclude that the TSA levels in the first groups both were found to be significantly elevated as compared to control levels (p<0.05), and Hepatitis C virus are linked to selective increase of serum IgG.