Hepatitis C prevalence and risk factors in hemodialysis patients in Central Brazil: a survey by polymerase chain reaction and serological methods
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
96(6): 765-769, Aug. 2001. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-298610
ABSTRACT
An hemodialysis population in Central Brazil was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serological methods to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to investigate associated risk factors. All hemodialysis patients (n=428) were interviewed in eight dialysis units in GoiÔnia city. Blood samples were collected and serum samples screened for anti-HCV antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Positive samples were retested for confirmation with a line immunoassay (LIA). All samples were also tested for HCV RNA by the PCR. An overall prevalence of 46.7 percent (CI 95 percent 42-51.5) was found, ranging from 20.7 percent (CI 95 percent 8.8-38.1) to 90.4 percent (CI 95 percent 79.9-96.4) depending on the dialysis unit. Of the 428 patients, 185 were found to be seropositive by ELISA, and 167 were confirmed positive by LIA, resulting in an anti-HCV prevalence of 39 percent. A total of 131 patients were HCV RNA-positive. HCV viremia was present in 63.5 percent of the anti-HCV-positive patients and in 10.3 percent of the anti-HCV-negative patients. Univariate analysis of risk factors showed that the number of previous blood transfusions, transfusion of blood before mandatory screening for anti-HCV, length of time on hemodialysis, and treatment in multiple units were associated with HCV positivity. However, multivariate analysis revealed that blood transfusion before screening for anti-HCV and length of time on hemodialysis were significantly associated with HCV infection in this population. These data suggest that nosocomial transmission may play a role in the spread of HCV in the dialysis units studied. In addition to anti-HCV screening, HCV RNA detection is necessary for the diagnosis of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Renal Dialysis
/
Hepatitis C
/
Hepatitis C Antibodies
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
/
Screening study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2001
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Belgium
/
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Fundaçäo do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/BR
/
Innogenetics N. V/BE
/
Universidade Federal de Goiás/BR
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