ABSTRACT
In this work, we have evaluated the potential risk ofdialyzer reuse in transmission of hepatitis C virus [HCV] among hemodialysis [HD] patients. Two groups of regular HD patients from 7 dialysis units in Cairo, matched for risk factors of HCV, were tested for anti HCV antibodies at start of the work and 6 months later. Group A [Non-reuse group] [170 patients] with single use dialyzers and Group B [Reuse group] [165 patients] with reused dialyzers. Results indicate a prevalence of anti-HCV of 76.1% in nanreuse group and 67.3% in reuse group with no significant difference between both groups. Both reuse and non reuse grops show a similar correlation between prevalence of anti-HCV and all studied risk factors for HCV transmission. Duration of dialysis stands as the main risk factor for increased HCV prevalence. Sero conversion rate of anti HCV positivity was similar in the non reuse [21.6%] and reuse group [20.8%]. We emphasize the high prevelence of HCV and high frequency of detected sero conversions among HD patients whether on reuse or non-reuse dialyzers. There appears to be other risk factors that play a role in increasing HCV in both reuse and non-reuse patients