Non-A, non-B hepatitis in hemodialysis

Episodes of presumable non-A, non-B hepatitis were determined among hemodialysis patients during a two year period as well as possible secondary infections in household contacts. We determined hepatitis A and B markers by commercial RIA kits, and IgM-anti-CMV and IgM-anti-EBV by ELISA techniques. 154 dialysis patients, 118 relatives of patients, and 42 members of the staff were included in the study. 71% of the center dialysis patients, 63% of the home dialysis patients, 50% of the staff, and 19% of the relatives were HBV marker positive. Spouses of patients more often had HBV markers than other relatives. Anti-HAV was highly prevalent both in center patients (98.8%) and in home dialysis patients (83.3%). The incidence of IgM-anti-CMV was marked in home dialysis patients (15.5%). During a two year period, 9% of all dialysis patients had an episode of presumable non-A, non-B hepatitis. As compared to previous data in the same dialysis centers, there is a change in the epidemiology of hepatitis.