Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of infection in patients receiving hemodialysis. In this study, we aimed to determine frequency and epidemiological characteristics of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: One hundred patients with end-stage renal disease, over 16 years old, receiving hemodialysis were enrolled in this study. Demographic data, possible routes of transmission, type of vascular access, duration of hemodialysis, liver function tests, markers of hepatitis and HCV RNA were all evaluated. Serological markers were tested with enzyme immunoassay (EIA, Abbott Architect, Germany). HCV RNA was studied by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR, COBAS TaqMan Roche, Germany). Measurement range of the PCR test was 25-3.91×108 IU/mL and the sensitivity of the test was 25 IU/mL. 

Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.5±13.9 years and 56% were male. The average duration of dialysis was 4.8±3.9 (1-19) years. The mean levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were 17±1.1 IU/L and 16.1±7.2 IU/L, respectively. Surgical procedures and blood transfusion were the most common route of transmission. Of the 100 patients, 16 were positive for at least one of anti-HCV and HCV RNA. 10 out of 100 patients were positive for anti-HCV and 11 were positive for plasma HCV RNA. Five of the 10 patients whose anti-HCV results were positive were also found to be positive for HCV RNA. Six (6.7%) out of 90 anti-HCV-negative patients were positive for HCV RNA. Their RNA levels were between 75-338 IU/mL.

Conclusions: Silent progression of HCV infection may cause progression of the disease and could be a potential risk for spread of the virus. The use of molecular diagnostic tests might help to find the true incidence of the infection and to control its transmission.