Hepatitis c virus infection associated anticardiolipin antibodies and recurrent hemodialysis arteriovenous fistula thrombosis: true association or mere coincidence

ABSTRACT

Background: vascular access thrombosis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis [HD] is an important morbidity factor. Arterial or venous thrombotic events have been described as complications in patients on regular HD and positive titers of anticardiolipin antibodies [ACAs]. ACAs are commonly found in patients with chronic hepatitis C viral [HCV] infection but their pathogen etic role and the mechanisms that stimulate their production have not yet been clarified. In HCV infection, ACAs are generally cofactor independent and may represent an epiphenomenon of the infection. Some studies, however, have found an increased incidence of thrombotic disorders in patients with chronic HCV infection who manifest ACAs positivity suggesting that the presence of these autoantibodies may predispose to thrombosis in specific HCV-infected patients