HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE AND RENAL TRANSPLANTATION ECIPIENTS

Abstract

'Die presence anil significance of hepatitis C virus infection among patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on hemodialysis and renal transplant recipient were evaluated a pcrioil of 30 months. A total of 125 patients, comprising 25 recieving chronic hemodialysis, 47 renal transplant candidates and 5.1 renal transplant recipients, were studied with a second generation immunoassay (ELISA II). We detected HCV antibody in 13% of hemodialysis patients which is 40 folds higher than the prevalence of HCV antihotly in general population of Iran (0.3%), as expected. Fortynine (39.2%) of our patients were HCV antihotly positive, 2H of them were transplanted and 21 were renal transplant candidates. We compared HCV antihotly positive (group I) and HCV antibody negative (group 2) patients. Die results of this study showed a positive correlation between HCV seroconversion, CRF, duration on hemodialysis and elevated liver enzyme levels. Duration of follow-up were 29.62 ± 15.62 months and 31.25 ± 17.50 months in group I and 2 respectively (I' = NS). Duration of preoperative hemodialysis were 54.14 ± 41.18 months and 16.00 ± 10.25 months in group 1 ami 2 respectively (I1 = 0.000}). During follow-up, elevated ALT levels were present in 43.3% and 9.26% of patients in group I ami 2 respectively (I'=0.0001). Immunosuppressive drug toxicity, 1'ostopeative complications including hyperacute rejection and acute tubular necrosis were more common in group I.