[Anti-HCV in patients undergoing dialysis in Piedmont and in Valle d'Aosta]

Special questionnaires were distributed in order to assess the current incidence of anti-HCV antibodies in Dialysis Centres in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. The analysis of findings showed an overall positivity of 23.9%, with higher values in those cases treated with extracorporal methods and lower values in those patients treated with peritoneal dialysis. The data also confirmed the correlations between anti-HCV antibodies and the number of transfusions performed, and suggested the possible influence of previous operations, high risk manual occupation, or more than one of these factors, in addition to environmental conditions. Lastly, the paper reports the prophylactic measures currently in use for patients and medical staff in the various centres in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley.