Parenterally transmitted viruses in hemodialysis patients in yemen =

Abstract EN

Background & Objective.: Hemodialysis is an invasive medical procedure that carries the risk of infections with parenterally transmitted viruses.

The risk of transmission of these viruses is mostly attributed to the inadequacy or breakdown of standard infection control practices in dialysis units.

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, D viruses and HTV in hemodialysis patients in Yemen and to associate infections with age, sex, duration and times of dialysis, and liver enzymes.

Methods: Seventy-four hemodialysis patients who attended a hemodialysis center in Yemen were investigated.

Patient sera were tested using ELISA for HBsAg, HCV and HTV antibodies.

HBsAg reactive sera were further tested for HBeAg and HDV antibodies.

HBsAg non-reactive sera were further tested for anti-HBc.

Also ALT and AST levels were measured routinely for all patients.

Results: Of 74 patients (63.5% males and 36.5% females) who were aged 40 +/- 10.5 years, 15% had HBsAg.

Markers of current and past HBV infection were found in 66.3%.

Of HBsAg positives, 16.7% had HBeAg and 8.3% had HDV antibodies.

HCV antibodies were found in 51.3% of patients.

None of the patients had HIV antibodies.

Patients with HBsAg/anti-HCV and anti-HBc/anti-HCV reported a significantly (P<0.05) longer duration and greater number of times of dialysis.

Patients with concurrent HBV and HCV markers showed elevated ALT and AST levels.

Conclusion: High HBsAg carrier rate and high prevalence of HBV and HCV but a low prevalence of HDV were found among hemodialysis patients in Yemen.

Absence of HIV antibodies reflects the low HIV prevalence in Yemen.