Incidence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] antibodies among haemodialysis patients and staff members

ABSTRACT

50 patients with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis, 25 staff members dealing with these patients, and 15 control subjects were examined for anti-HCV using a second generation ELISA test. The incidence was 56% among on hemodialysis program, and 8% for the staff members, while it was nil among healthy subjects 14. 28% of the positive HCV were concurrent carriers of HBs Ag as compared to 4. 58% HBs Ag carriers among HCV negative subjects. We found no significant association between anti-HCV positivity and whether the patients had blood transfusion or not. The incidence of anti-HCV in hemodialysis patients increased with the duration' of dialysis and with the volume of blood transfusion. So, it is recommended to instruct blood banks to add anti-HCV [second generation] testing to their essential tests. Also, every patient undergoing hemodialysis must be examined for anti-HCV and positive cases should be isolated to be dialysed in a separate machine. staff members of dialysis units should be a separate staff, and examined periodically to detect any anti-HCV positive cases