Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its associated risk factors among haemodialysis (HD) patients in Gaza strip was investigated using serological and molecular techniques.ResultsThe overall prevalence of HBV among the four HD centers was 8.1%. The main risk factors were HD center (p = 0.05), history of blood transfusion (p < 0.01), and treatment abroad (p = 0.01). The overall prevalence of HCV among the four HD centers was 22%. The main risk factors were HD center (p < 0.01), time duration on HD (p < 0.01), history of blood transfusion (p < 0.01), treatment abroad (p < 0.01), and history of blood transfusion abroad (p < 0.01). Serum aminotransferases levels decreased in HD patients compared with normal population but still there was a direct association between the activity of liver enzymes and both HBV (p < 0.01) and HCV (p < 0.01) infection.ConclusionThe much higher prevalence of Hepatitis viruses among HD patients compared to the normal population of Gaza strip indicates a causative relation between HD and hepatitis viruses transmission. Therefore extremely careful observation of preventive infection control measures is essential to limit Hepatitis viruses' transmission in HD centers.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality among haemodialysis (HD) patients and pose problems in the management of patients in the renal dialysis units, because chronic renal failure patients do not clear these viral infections efficiently [1]
In Arab countries the prevalence of HCV antibodies among HD patients has been reported to range from 27% in Lebanon to 75% in Syria [6,7,8,9]
Male patients were found to be more susceptible to hepatitis B virus (HBV) than female patients (p = 0.01) (Table 1)
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality among haemodialysis (HD) patients and pose problems in the management of patients in the renal dialysis units, because chronic renal failure patients do not clear these viral infections efficiently [1]. In Arab countries the prevalence of HCV antibodies among HD patients has been reported to range from 27% in Lebanon to 75% in Syria [6,7,8,9]. There are strong indications that studies of HD patients which rely solely on serological screening could underestimate the prevalence of HCV infection. Partial immunesuppression in these patients, resulting in poor antibody response may be a contributing factor [10]. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its associated risk factors among haemodialysis (HD) patients in Gaza strip was investigated using serological and molecular techniques
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