[Incidence and prevalence of anti-HVC antibodies and HBV markers in patients undergoing extracorporeal hemodialysis].

OBJECT

To assess the prevalence and the incidence of the anti-HCV and HBV markers in extracorporeal dialysis patients.

METHOD

From 1990 to 1993, every six months, anti-HCV and anti-HBV markers were determined in 88 dialyzed patients, in 24 health workers from the Nephrology and Dialysis Departments and checked with 4143 blood donors. ALT values were also checked monthly.

RESULTS

A 13.6 prevalence of anti-HCV was found while no new anti-HCV case was seen in the three-year observation period. Data referring to HBV infection were affected by vaccination. Statistical survey has shown a significant relation between anti-HCV and blood transfusions and between anti-HBV infection and duration of dialysis. The incidence of HCV infection was 4.1% among health workers who were all HBV vaccinated in the year before the research.

COMMENT

We strongly recommend the observance of such rules as hygiene and prophylaxis, disinfection, sterilization and the use of disposable material. Also, a reduction of the number of transfusions seems to cut down the incidence of hematic infections.