[Hepatitis C virus infection in patients on chronic hemodialysis]. / Infekcija virusom hepatitisa C kod bolesnika na hronicnoj hemodijalizi.

Frequency of HCV infection was examined in patients on chronical program of hemodialysis considering the high risk to which they had been exposed because of frequent blood transfusion. We determined anti-HCV antibodies in 57 patients (29 male and 28 female) average age 52.6 years with terminal chronic renal failure. Frequency of anti-HCV antibodies (determined by ELISA Ortho test of first generation) was in correlation with the number of received transfusions and with duration of dialysis treatment and it was compared with anti-HCV antibody findings in hemodialysis staff (the control group of healthy persons). Results of the examination showed that anti HCV antibodies were positive in 38.95% examined patients (n = 57), and it showed that the patients on hemodialysis were a critical group for HCV infection. There was no correlation with the blood groups. Level of transaminases, HBsAg and immunity test in anti-HCV positive patients were in the physiological range. In order to prevent HCV infection in the dialysis centres, it is necessary to conduct routine test in patients and staff, and undertake all measures of protection.

[Incidence and clinical manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection in patients on hemodialysis]. / Ucestalost i klinicke pojave infekcije virusom hepatitisa C kod bolesnika na hemodijalizi.

Hepatitis C virus infection is a very important problem among patients on maintenance hemodialysis. To determine incidence and clinical manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection, we tested blood samples of patients on hemodialysis in 1992 and 1994 using ELISA a HCV test of second generation. In 1992 46 out of 119 patients (38%), and in 1994 36 out of 122 (29%) patients on hemodialysis were aHCV positive. Duration of dialysis program and level of serum aminotransferases were significantly higher in the group of aHCV positive patients had received more blood transfusions per year, but not significantly higher than HCV negative patients. These results with knowledge about common routes of HCV transmission, demand strict preventive measures in dialysis units, routine and regular HCV testing of patients' blood samples and serum aminotransferases level, and isolation of HCV positive patients and machines.