Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Genotypes in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in Kinshasa: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract

IntroductionThe steady increase in the number of chronic hemodialysis patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) calls for improved management of those patients. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the prevalent genotypes and the risk factors associated with HCV in hemodialysis patients in Kinshasa (DR Congo). MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted from February to June 2018 in all hemodialysis centers in Kinshasa. Blood samples were collected from 127 chronic hemodialysis patients and tested for the presence of antibodies against HCV. The HCV genotype was identified by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). ResultsTwenty-two (17.3 %) patients were anti-HCV positive, ranging from 0 % to 52.9 % in different centers. Genotype 4 was detected in 18/22 (81.8 %), followed by genotype 2 in 2/22 (9.1%), and both genotypes 2 and 4 in one patient (4.5%). One patient had an undetermined genotype (4.5 %). Having received at least 4 transfusions [7,21 (1,09-10,61); p=0.040)], not being under EPO treatment [5,81(1,47-12,96); p=0.012)], being on hemodialysis for at least 14 months [3,63(1,60-5,05); p=0.035)]and being dialyzed in an overloaded center [2,06(0,83-5,86); p=0.073)] were associated with a greater risk of HCV infection.ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of strategies to prevent HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Kinshasa. This issue is important for SSA countries which are facing several economic and logistical challenges.

Evaluate microbial profile and IL-17 level in transmission transfusion infection patients

“…According to HCV infection. In study by (Ngilibuma et al,2021) shows a high frequency of HCV infection in patients on chronic hemodialysis and explain that the risk factors associated with HCV infection were the number of blood transfusions, the absence of EPO treatment, the time on HD as well as the characteristics of the centers. The results of this study show 41.3% of thalassemia patients were anti HCV sera-positive .This in line with local study by (ALbakaa et al,2020) observed that male more than female with frequency 53.57 , their ages range from (2-34) years and HCV PCR positive were ( 57.14 %).…”