Hepatitis C virus infection in Hemodialysis patients in Jordan

Abstract EN

To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in our hemodialysis population, we carried out a survey of 273 adult hemodialysis patients in three hemodialysis units in Jordan using a second generation rapid enzyme immunoassay.

Sixty seven patients were seropositive with a prevalence of 24.5%.

All patients were transfusion dependent except two.

More than 85% of the patients have been on hemodialysis for more than two years.

Co-infection with hepatitis B virus was observed in six patients.

Abnormal liver functions were seen in five patients, but liver biopsies were not done.

The prevalence of hepatitis C antibody in healthy blood donors in Jordan is 1.7%.

We conclude that HCV infection prevalence in hemodialysis patients in Jordan is 24.5%, a percentage similar to what has been reported around the world and in the neighboring countries.