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Prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies (HCV) in a dialysis population at one center
R Selgas1, R Martinez-Zapico, M A Bajo
1Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence is higher in hemodialysis patients than those on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Factors like dialysis duration and blood transfusions increase HCV risk in hemodialysis patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Hepatitis C (HC) diagnosis is now confirmed by detecting specific antibodies, previously known as non-A, non-B hepatitis.
- Dialysis patients are a population at risk for infectious diseases due to their compromised health status and frequent medical interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) versus continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
- To identify risk factors associated with higher HCV antibody prevalence in dialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples were collected from 61 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 43 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were quantified using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test system.
- Transfusion policies were consistent across both patient groups.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher prevalence of HCV antibodies was observed in the hemodialysis (HD) group compared to the CAPD group.
- In hemodialysis patients, increased duration of dialysis, history of blood transfusions, and prior renal transplantation were associated with higher HCV antibody rates.
- These risk factors showed a smaller impact on HCV antibody prevalence among CAPD patients.
Conclusions:
- Hemodialysis patients exhibit a greater prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibodies than CAPD patients.
- Understanding the specific reasons for these differences is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies against HCV in dialysis populations.
- Further research into transmission routes and patient management is warranted to mitigate HCV infection risks in renal replacement therapy.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C (HC) has been recently diagnosed by determination of specific antibodies that represent the former so-called non-A, non-B hepatitis. We studied the prevalence of plasma HCV antibodies among 61 unselected patients on hemodialysis (HD) and 43 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Plasma C-antibodies were determined through the ELISA test system. Transfusion policy was the same in both groups. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies was significantly higher in hemodialysis patients than among those on CAPD. Time on dialysis, previous blood transfusions, and renal transplantation seem to increase the prevalence of C hepatitis antibodies among hemodialysis patients. The effect of these parameters on CAPD was smaller. Understanding the reasons for these differences may help prevent this disease among dialysis patients.