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[Prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infected patients on hemodialysis]

Halima Resić1, Fahrudin Masnić, Zora Vukobrat-Bijedić

  • 1Department of Hemodialysis, Sarajevo Clinical Center, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. halima.resic@undt.ba

Acta Medica Croatica : Casopis Hravatske Akademije Medicinskih Znanosti
|February 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant risk for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Strict infection control measures are crucial to prevent HCV seroconversion in hemodialysis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant threat to morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
  • Hemodialysis patients are particularly vulnerable to HCV infection due to the nature of the treatment and potential for transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of pegylated interferon alfa treatment in achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) in HCV-infected hemodialysis patients.
  • To emphasize the importance of infection control measures in preventing HCV transmission within dialysis units.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, observational study followed 205 end-stage renal disease patients over one year.
  • HCV infection status was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-HCV antibodies and RT-PCR for HCV RNA.
  • Thirteen HCV RNA PCR positive patients received 48 weeks of pegylated interferon alfa treatment.

Main Results:

  • Of 205 patients, 37 (18%) had chronic HCV infection. Among these, 30 (81.08%) were HCV RNA PCR positive.
  • Elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) were observed in a subset of HCV RNA PCR positive patients.
  • After 48 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon alfa, only three patients (23.07%) achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR), confirmed by negative PCR RNA at six months and one year follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Sustained virologic response to pegylated interferon alfa was achieved in a small proportion of HCV-infected hemodialysis patients.
  • Strict adherence to infection control guidelines, patient isolation, and rigorous hygiene are essential to prevent HCV seroconversion in hemodialysis settings.
Abstract

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