[The low contagiousness of the hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis]

Due to the short period of the time elapsed since its existence has been described, and the difficulty for its diagnosis, contagiousness of hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis, together with the need of specific measures to avoid its transmission in units where this therapy is performed--similar to the ones adopted with hepatitis B--are still under discussion. A group of thirty patients, dialyzed in the same unit and by the same staff personnel has been studied. All staff members and 29 of the patients were anti-HCV negative. Only one patient was anti-HCV positive, showing at the same time a persistent raise of transaminases and having received previously 12 blood transfusions. On a monthly basis serology for HCV, transaminases GT and alkaline phosphatase were evaluated. Follow-up period has oscillated between 6 and 22 months, mean 14.07 +/- 6.23 months. 53.3% of patients were over a year follow-up, and 43% were over 6 months. A patient died, two were transplanted and a fourth one was lost to follow-up after more than one year. All the transfusions performed in this period (done to six patients) have been checked negative for antibodies anti-HCV. Only an episode of raise in transaminases has been detected during this study, with no serological-conversion to any of the studied virus and with a probable drug-related origin. All negative anti-HCV patients have stayed in the same status. We concluded that HCV shows low contagiousness in hemodialysis. Regular cleaning measures within the Unit seems to be enough to prevent the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)