Hepatitis C virus infection among multi-transfused patients and personnel in haemodialysis units in central Islamic Republic of Iran

A cross-sectional study was made of the prevalence of HCV and associated risk factors in 382 multi-transfused patients and haemodialysis staff in Yadz province in 2006. Of those tested for anti-HCV antibodies, 50.6% of patients with inherited bleeding disorders, 11.8% with thalassaemia and 5.0% undergoing haemodialysis were seropositive. First transfusion before 1996 [when blood donor screening started] was the common risk factor associated with HCV infection. Only 1/52 haemodialysis staff members was HCV infected [an intravenous drug user]. Infection control measures were poor in all centres. In patients with inherited bleeding disorders genotype 1 [65.0%] was the predominant followed by genotype 3 [35.0%]. The results provide evidence that blood donor screening and use of virus-inactivated factor concentrates have lowered the risk of HCV infection among multi-transfused patients

Hepatitis C virus infection and HCV Genotypes of hemodialysis patients

To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C by antibody testing, HCV-RNA detection by PCR and relative risk factors of HCV infection among HD patients and staff members in Markazi Province/Iran. The other purpose was to determine genotypes of HCV in this population. The study group consisted of 204 HD patients and 47 staff members from all 9 dialysis centers in Markazi Province, Iran. Anti-HCV antibodies were tested using a third generation ELISA and confirmed by RIBA. HCV RNA was determined by RT-PCR and genotyping was performed by a reverse hybridization assay [LiPA]. The overall prevalence of HCV [HCV antibody and HCV-RNA] was 5.4%. Female sex [P= 0.019], duration of dialysis [P= 0.003] and kidney transplant [P= 0.049] were significantly correlated with HCV infection. The predominant subtype was HCV-la, detected in 4[50%] of the 8 HD patients. Genotype 4, 3a and 1b were found in 2[25%], 1[12.5%] and 1[12.5%] patients respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV among staff members of HD units was 0%. The presence of anti HCV positive patients who had never been transfused, high prevalence of genotype 4 in this population, duration of HD as a risk factor for HCV positivity and non significant association between blood transfusion and HCV infection suggest nosocomial transmission of the virus in dialysis units that needs to be confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of subgenomic regions of HCV. HD staff members dose not seem to be at increased risk of hepatitis C despite the frequent blood exposure and lack of strict adherence to universal infection control precautions

[Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody and related risk factors among hemodialysis patients in markazi province [2004]]

A high prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients has been reported worldwide. Risk factors such as history of blood transfusion, duration of hemodialysis and recently nosocomial transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units have been identified. In this study the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibody and risk factors in hemodialysis patients in Markazi province is investigated. In this cross-sectional analythical study, blood samples were obtained from all 204 hemodialysis patients. Samples were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using third generation enzyme immunoassay. The reactive samples on ELISA were confirmed by the third generation RIBA. Risk factors were evaluated by a questionnaire. Data was analysed using Chi square and logistic regression. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody among hemodialysis patients was 4.9%. Duration of hemodialysis was identified as a major risk factor in transmission of HCV [p=0.004]. There was a significant relationship between anti-HCV positivity and previous renal transplantation [p=0.032]. Female sex was another risk factor for HCV infection [p=0.030]. There was no significant relationship between anti-HCV positivity and history of blood transfusion. Nosocomial transmission of HCV within hemodialysis units seems to be a route of infection in patients on hemodialysis in Markazi province. Application of dialysis precautions recommended by CDC can reduce the prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients in this province