Abstract

SANTANA, Genoile Oliveira et al. Anti-HCV in patients undergoing hemodialysis in Salvador, BA, Brazil. Arq. Gastroenterol. [online]. 2001, vol.38, n.1, pp.24-31. ISSN 1678-4219.  https://doi.org/10.1590/S0004-28032001000100006.

Background ¾ Hepatitis C infection in hemodialysis units has been evaluated in different grographic regions. Aims - The prevalence of anti-HCV in patients undergoing hemodialysis program in the city of Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil, was studied and its association with transfusions, duration of hemodialysis and ALT elevation. Method - During a period of 17 months, all patients undergoing dialytic treatment, were evaluated. The total number of patients was 395, all of whom completed a questionnaire and provided serum samples for laboratory analysis. Serological levels were measured for ALT and the samples were tested for anti-HCV using ELISA II with a further confirmation using RIBA III. Results - Anti-HCV was positive in 23,8% (94/395). The presence of transfusions was associated with anti-HCV and as the number of transfusions used increased, so did the frequency of anti-HCV. Of the patients who never received transfusions, 12,5% (6/48) were anti-HCV positive. The duration of dialytic treatment lasted from 53,44 ± 36,45 months in the anti-HCV positive group and 22,10 ± 22,75 months for the group testing negative. ALT elevation was more frequent in the anti-HCV positive group. Positivity for the RIBA III fractions was 79,8%, 100%, 80,9% and 52,1%, for c100-3, c33, c22 and NS5, respectively. The anti-NS5 was even less frequent in the group with elevated ALT. Conclusions - The prevalence of anti-HCV in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis in Salvador, Bahia, is elevated and it is associated with transfusions, a longer duration of dialytic treatment and ALT elevation.

Keywords : Hepatitis C antibodies; Renal dialysis; Immunoblotting.

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