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Hepatitis C markers in hemodialysis patients
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Cathay General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 58.8% of hemodialysis patients in Taiwan. Patient-to-patient transmission via dialysis equipment is the likely cause, necessitating improved prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant risk to hemodialysis patients.
- Accurate diagnostic methods are crucial for identifying HCV infection in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV infection in a Taiwanese hemodialysis unit.
- To evaluate the performance of various diagnostic tests for HCV detection.
- To identify transmission routes and risk factors for HCV infection in hemodialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- Serological surveys using advanced-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for anti-HCV.
- Confirmatory testing with immunoblot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for HCV RNA.
- Comparison of first-generation and second-generation ELISA performance.
Main Results:
- HCV infection prevalence was 58.8% (67/114 patients).
- Second-generation ELISAs, immunoblot, and HCV RNA tests showed high agreement (86.0-98.2%).
- First-generation C 100-3 ELISA lacked sensitivity; advanced ELISAs and immunoblot were reliable.
Conclusions:
- HCV prevalence is high in this hemodialysis population.
- Transmission is linked to hemodialysis duration and blood transfusions, likely via patient-to-patient contact through equipment.
- Enhanced infection control measures are recommended to reduce transmission.