Abstract
Background There is an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among hemodialysis (HD) patients. HCV prevalence varies considerably among different HD centers throughout the world. In Egypt, the prevalence of HCV in HD patients could reach 50.7%. Aim The aim of this study were to measure the rate of HCV seroconversion for patients at the HD Unit in Assiut University Hospitals and to assess the diagnostic utility of routine laboratory test of anti-HCV antibodies used in those patients. Patients and methods This study was performed at the HD Unit, in the Internal Medicine Department, Assiut University Hospital. We included patients on regular HD between 2011 and 2014 who were negative for anti-HCV and hepatitis B surface antigen with normal liver enzyme level. Follow up after 3 and 6 months was done by testing for liver enzymes and anti-HCV using third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cases with positive results had qualitative real-time PCR to confirm the result. Results We recruited 63 patients, seroconversion for anti-HCV was found in 21 (33.3%) patients; seven patients develop this seroconversion after 3 months follow-up transiently and 14 patients develop it after 6 months follow-up. However, all patients lack HCV viremia as confirmed by testing for HCV RNA using real-time PCR. Conclusion In our study, seroconversion for anti HCV among the HD patients was found in 33.3% but they lack HCV viremia. Screening in HD units is better to be done using PCR testing to avoid transient anti HCV seroconversion particularly in units with high prevalence of anti HCV.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call