Incidence, diagnosis and evolution of 'non A-non B' hepatitis in haemodialysis units

Over a four year period, 34 patients on chronic haemodialysis with non A-non B hepatitis were studied. Although clinical symptoms were mild or absent in most patients, biochemical evolution seemed to be serious as more than 70 per cent became chronic or showed a relapsing pattern. Blood transfusions play an important role in the spread of this disease; on the other hand in our experience patient to patient transmission was less relevant.