Evaluation of Natural Killer Cells in HCV Patients undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus and one of the major causes of liver disease and a potential cause of substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Patients on hemodialysis are at high risk for HCV, with frequency of infection several times higher than that in non-uremic patients. Natural killer (NK) cells are best appreciated for innate defense against viral infections and in tumor cell surveillance. Objective To study the percentage of peripheral blood natural killer cells among chronic hepatitis C patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to chronic HCV patients with normal kidney functionsby flowcytometry immunophenotyping. Methodology Frequency of CD3- CD56+ cells was assessed in two distinct groups. Group I: 35 chronic HCV patients with end stage renal disease and undergoing hemodialysis, group II: 35 age and sex matched chronic HCV patients with no kidney disease. Results No significant difference was observed between HCV hemodialysis patients with ESRD and HCV patients with normal kidney function regarding the frequency of both NK cells (CD3CD56+) and NKT cells (CD3+CD56+). However, group I had significantly higher percentage of CD3+ cells than group II. Conclusion no difference was found in this study between HCV patients on hemodialysis and HCV with normal kidney function regarding NK cell frequency. However, assessment of NK cell function in future studies might reveal differences.