An epidemiological study on hepatitis C and hepatitis B infections among hemodialysis patients in the Sistan region

Abstract

Objective. Hepatitis is a systemic viral infection that mainly affects the liver. Transmission of hepatitis C virus through dialysis units is increasing worldwide, ranging from 5% in Western countries to 70% in some developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) infections among hemodialysis (HD) patients in the Sistan region. Patients and methods. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 130 hemodialysis patients in the hemodialysis ward of the Sistan region were studied by census method. Sample information including name, sex, mortality rate, surgery, renal transplantation, underlying disease, and duration of dialysis was collected through a questionnaire. Blood samples were taken for hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibodies (Anti HCVAb) and analyzed by third-generation ELISA. Repeated positive ELISA test results of HCV, were evaluated by PCR test method. Results. Among 125 dialysis patients ranging from the age of 15 to 84 years, 15 patients (11/1%) were HBSAg positive, and 6 patients (4.4%) were HCVAb positive. All patients underwent dialysis for a minimum of two and a maximum of three sessions per week. In the year 2021, the mortality rate among dialysis patients was five. Сonclusion. The results of this study indicate the low prevalence and mortality rate of HBSAg and HCVAb among HD patients. However, the duration of dialysis can be a potential risk factor for the transmission of infectious viruses in dialysis centers. Key words: epidemiology, hemodialysis, HBV infection, HCV