Prevalence of anti HCV in hemodialysis patients

ABSTRACT

Eighty two patients. 55 males and 27 females, aged 18 to 80 years [mean 42.32 +/- 14.95 years] on chronic hemodialysis were screened for sero- markers of hepatitis B and C and their Liver function was evaluated. Fifty one patients [62.2%] showed anti Hepatitis C antibodies [anti HCV] in their serum. Seven patients [8.5%] were Hepatitis B surface antigen positive; live of them were positive for both anti HCV and HBsAg. Liver functions tests were performed in 70 patients; 22 of them had abnormal liver function. Out of these, 18 patients [81.8%] were anti HCV positive and 4 cases [18.2%] were negative for anti HCV antibodies [P<0.05]. Eighteen of anti HCV positive [39.1%] and 4 of anti HCV negative [16.7%] had abnormal liver functions. Out of 51 Anti HCV Positive patients 43 had received blood transfusions [84.3%]while 8 patients [15.7%] did not have any transfusion [P<0.05]. The patients, who were Anti HCV positive, had more blood transfusions and were on hemodialysis for longer periods as compared to Anti HCV negative patient but the difference in our study was not statistically significant