Hepatitis viruses represent one of the prominent clinical problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence, risk factors and clinical implications of HGV infection in a population of HD patients in eastern Sicily. 85 HD patients (49 males, 36 females; age 62 ± 15 years, duration of hemodialysis 55 ± 51 months) were tested. HGV RNA was identified in serum by reverse-transcription-polymerase- chain-reaction assay, using primers deduced from a nonstructural region of viral genome. HBV and HCV were also tested. HGV RNA was detected in 5/85 HD patients (6%), thus suggesting a prevalence of HGV infection similar to that found in other non-Italian regions. HCV antibodies and HBsAg were found in 21% and 9% of HD patients, respectively. None of the HGV-positive HD patients were co-infected by HCV; one patient was co-infected by HBV and two patients were positive for HBs/HBc/HBe antibodies. Four HGV-positive patients had previously received blood transfusion. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum levels were normal in HGV-positive patients at the time of the study. The duration of hemodialysis in HGV- positive HD patients ranged between 5 and 125 months. In conclusion, the prevalence of HGV infection in our population of HD patients is within the range observed in other European or non-European HD populations. HGV infection is not associated with any elevation of ALT and AST serum levels. HGV infection is related to previous blood transfusions, but not to duration of hemodialysis.

Prevalence of HGV infection in hemodialysis patients from eastern Sicily (Article)

CASTELLINO, Pietro
1998-01-01

Abstract

Hepatitis viruses represent one of the prominent clinical problems in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence, risk factors and clinical implications of HGV infection in a population of HD patients in eastern Sicily. 85 HD patients (49 males, 36 females; age 62 ± 15 years, duration of hemodialysis 55 ± 51 months) were tested. HGV RNA was identified in serum by reverse-transcription-polymerase- chain-reaction assay, using primers deduced from a nonstructural region of viral genome. HBV and HCV were also tested. HGV RNA was detected in 5/85 HD patients (6%), thus suggesting a prevalence of HGV infection similar to that found in other non-Italian regions. HCV antibodies and HBsAg were found in 21% and 9% of HD patients, respectively. None of the HGV-positive HD patients were co-infected by HCV; one patient was co-infected by HBV and two patients were positive for HBs/HBc/HBe antibodies. Four HGV-positive patients had previously received blood transfusion. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum levels were normal in HGV-positive patients at the time of the study. The duration of hemodialysis in HGV- positive HD patients ranged between 5 and 125 months. In conclusion, the prevalence of HGV infection in our population of HD patients is within the range observed in other European or non-European HD populations. HGV infection is not associated with any elevation of ALT and AST serum levels. HGV infection is related to previous blood transfusions, but not to duration of hemodialysis.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/28239
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 3
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact