The present study included 80 cases with chronic renal failure treated
by maintainance dialysis (50 cases under haemodialysis (HD) and 30
cases under peritoneal dialysis PD) to detect the prevalence of hepatitis
virus antibodies among them. Thirty healthy volunteers were also studied
as a control group.
The incidence of anti HCV positive cases was 76% in HD group, 16. 6%
in PD group and 6.6% in the control group. No specific sex predilection
was found among anti HCV positive cases in any studied group.
There was a signcant correlation between number of units of blood
transfusion and HCV infection. The mean duration of dialysis was significantly
longer in I-1D groups in Anti HCV positive cases as compared to anti
HCV negative cases. By comparing each of anti HCV positive and anti
HCV negative cases to either Bilharzial or HBV infection, no statistial significant
differences were found. The patterns of liver enzymes abnormality
in the anti HCV positive cases were either a progressively increasing
(15.77% in HD, 40%. in PD and 50%. in the control group) or fluctuating
(15.7%. inHD, 20%. in PD, 50%. in the control group).
We might conclude that HCV infection represents a major health problem
among patients with CRF maintained on dialysis particularly those
under haemodialysis. Though blood transfusion represents the major
route of HCV transmission, extended studies of other risk factors such as
insect vectors, schistosomiasis, infected medical or paramedical staff is
mandatory. |
