Prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies (HCV) in a dialysis population at one center

Perit Dial Int. 1992;12(1):28-30.

Abstract

Hepatitis C (HC) has been recently diagnosed by determination of specific antibodies that represent the former so-called non-A, non-B hepatitis. We studied the prevalence of plasma HCV antibodies among 61 unselected patients on hemodialysis (HD) and 43 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Plasma C-antibodies were determined through the ELISA test system. Transfusion policy was the same in both groups. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies was significantly higher in hemodialysis patients than among those on CAPD. Time on dialysis, previous blood transfusions, and renal transplantation seem to increase the prevalence of C hepatitis antibodies among hemodialysis patients. The effect of these parameters on CAPD was smaller. Understanding the reasons for these differences may help prevent this disease among dialysis patients.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Transfusion
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Hemodialysis Units, Hospital
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / analysis*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation
  • Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory*
  • Prevalence
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies