Hepatitis c virus infection in patients on maintenance dialysis in Kuwait : epidemiological profile and efficacy of prophylaxis
Joint Authors
al-Hilali, Nabih
al-Rashid, Kamil
Kapoor, Madan
Sugathan, Thattuparambil
al-Mufti, Siham
Source
Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation
Issue
Vol. 6, Issue 2 (30 Apr. 1995), pp.144-150, 7 p.
Publisher
Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation
Publication Date
1995-04-30
Country of Publication
Saudi Arabia
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Topics
Abstract EN
Data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in Kuwait were collected retrospectively in December 1994.
Ninety three of 232 patients (40%) studied had hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) when tested by a second generation enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA-II).
Since October 1992, all HD patients who tested positive for anti-HCV were dialysed on separate machines and blood transfusions were limited to acute life-threatening emergencies through regular use of recombinant human erythropoeitin.
The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among dialysis patients who received treatment during the "HCV-prophylaxis period" was 33/163 (20.2%), as compared to 46/55 (83.6%) of those who received HD during the 27 months prior to October 1992 (p< 0.0001), and had similar average duration on dialysis (12 + 7 and 13 + 7 months, respectively).
Excluding the 15 patients who had anti-HCV on entry to HD during "HCVprophylaxis period", the estimated incidence of positive anti-HCV seroconversion was 11.5 per 100 patients per year on HD.
In the 93 anti-HCV positive patients, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were elevated for more than six months in 32 (34.4%), elevated in multiple peaks in 22 (23.7%) and showed combined variation of the latter two abnormalities in 16 (17.2%).
Histological evidence of chronic active hepatitis was present in five of six patients who manifested persistent ALT abnormalities.
Vaccination against hepatitis B virus produced positive seroconversion in 76.1% patients, and those with positive anti-HCV were not at a disadvantage.
In conclusion, HCV infection is common in patients undergoing HD in Kuwait.Improvement in screening assays, isolation of anti-HCV positivepatients during dialysis and limitation of blood transfusions may decrease the transmission of this disease in this patient population.
American Psychological Association (APA)
al-Rashid, Kamil& Kapoor, Madan& Sugathan, Thattuparambil& al-Mufti, Siham& al-Hilali, Nabih. 1995. Hepatitis c virus infection in patients on maintenance dialysis in Kuwait : epidemiological profile and efficacy of prophylaxis. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation،Vol. 6, no. 2, pp.144-150.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-211225
Modern Language Association (MLA)
al-Rashid, Kamil…[et al.]. Hepatitis c virus infection in patients on maintenance dialysis in Kuwait : epidemiological profile and efficacy of prophylaxis. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation Vol. 6, no. 2 (December 1995), pp.144-150.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-211225
American Medical Association (AMA)
al-Rashid, Kamil& Kapoor, Madan& Sugathan, Thattuparambil& al-Mufti, Siham& al-Hilali, Nabih. Hepatitis c virus infection in patients on maintenance dialysis in Kuwait : epidemiological profile and efficacy of prophylaxis. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation. 1995. Vol. 6, no. 2, pp.144-150.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-211225
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 150
Record ID
BIM-211225