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[Frequency of hepatitis GB virus C in patients on maintenance hemodialysis]
M Shimizu1, T Sugiyama, M Kojima
1Gifu Prefectural Gifu Hospital.
Insights
Hepatitis GB virus C (HGBV-C) RNA was found in 4.5% of hemodialysis patients. Most carriers were asymptomatic, suggesting blood transfusions as a transmission route and hemodialysis patients as a high-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hepatitis GB virus C (HGBV-C) is an emerging viral pathogen.
- Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis are a vulnerable population with potential exposure risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HGBV-C RNA in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.
- To investigate potential transmission routes and clinical implications of HGBV-C infection in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Hepatitis GB virus C (HGBV-C) RNA detection using molecular assays.
- Analysis of patient history, including blood transfusions and co-infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
- Assessment of liver function markers in infected individuals.
Main Results:
- HGBV-C RNA was detected in 10 (4.5%) of 223 hemodialysis patients.
- HCV co-infection was present in 40% of HGBV-C positive patients.
- All HGBV-C positive patients had a history of blood transfusion and were asymptomatic carriers with no liver dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Maintenance hemodialysis patients represent a high-risk group for HGBV-C infection.
- Blood transfusion is a suspected transmission route for HGBV-C.
- HGBV-C infection in this population appears to be asymptomatic, highlighting the need for screening and further research.
Abstract:
Hepatitis GB virus C(HGBV-C) RNA was detected in 10(4.5%), among the 223 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Of the 10 patients with HGBV-C RNA, 4(40%) were also infected with HCV. All patients with HGBV-C RNA had a history of blood transfusion. HGBV-C is suspected to be transmitted by blood transfusion. And also, none of the 10 HGBV-C RNA positive-patients had evidence of liver dysfunction. All patients are asymptomatic HGBV-C carrier. The patients on maintenance hemodialysis are high risk group for HGBV-C infection.