Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been recognized as an emerging problem in dialysis patients, and viral
hepatitis remains a major hazard for both patients and medical staff of hemodialysis (HD) units.
The reported yearly incidence of anti-HCV antibody worldwide between HD patients ranges from
10.5% to 24%, while the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among dialysis patients varies in
different countries (5-85%) worldwide, and may exceed 95% in the Middle East
OBJECTIVE:
To asses the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) among the hemodialysis unit in ALKadhmiya
Teaching Hospital and to identify the risk factors of infection in relation to age, sex, blood
transfusions and duration of dialysis
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Across-sectional study was conducted in AL-Nahrain College of Medicine in AL-Kadhmiya
Teaching Hospital in dialysis unit during the period from April 2008 to December 2010. 100
patients(58 male and 42 female their ages ranged from (15—75). are known cases of end stage renal
failure on regular haemodialysis. All patients underwent a history and physical examination at
baseline and investigations include blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum calcium, phosphorus, liver
function test and screen for hepatitis C virus antibodies were tested by using Murex anti-HCV
ELISA , Positive cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction
RESULTS:
The prevalence of HCV infection in patients in the dialysis unit was 41%. This study showed that
there was an association between the history of blood transfusions, duration of the dialysis and
kidney transplantation and the prevalence of HCV infection,( P.value <0.001.)
Although the levels of AST and ALT were higher in the positive HCV marker group, there was no
statistically significant difference between them.
CONCLUSION:
HCV infection is high in hemodialysis unit in alkadhmiya teaching hospital, HCV-related liver
disease in patients on long-term dialysis often appears clinically mild, with only modest elevations in
AST and ALT levels but most of them asymptomatic. Observation of appropriate preventive
measures in the hemodialysis center is highly recommended.