Hepatitis B virus and HIV infection among hemodialysis patients and staff in Assiut renal dialysis units

ABSTRACT

Screening of 312 patients with chronic renal failure on regular hemodialysis and 64 staff members caring for them in three hemodialysis centers in Assiut for hepatitis B surface antigen [HbsAg], anti-hepatitis B core [anti-HBc] and antihuman immunodeficiency virus [anti-HIV] was done over a period of 2 years [1989 and 1990] by ELISA technique. HBs Ag was detected in 24 [7.69%] patients and anti-HBc in 59 [18.91%] patients, while 18 [5.76%] patients showed both markers. The prevalence of HbsAg was significantly related to the duration of hemodialysis but neither to the number of transfused blood units nor to the age of the patient. In staff members, HBs Ag was detected in 5 [7.81%], anti-HBc in 9 [14.06%] and both markers in 2 [3.13%]. High percentage [15.79%] of HbsAg was found among physicians and those with duration of employment over one year although the differences were statistically insignificant. We have found two seropositive cases for anti-HIV among hemodialysis patients by ELISA technique, but only one of them was positive by the confirmatory Western blot test. In staff members, no single positive case was detected. HBV and HIV infection are major problems in hemodialysis centers, thus infection control precaultions must be done