PREVALENCE OF SERUM HGV-RNA AMONG HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS IN TURKEY

A possible agent for human non-A-E hepatitis has been identified and n amed hepatitis G virus (HGV). The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of serum HGV-RNA among hemodialysis patients in our countr y and the possible correlations of serum HGV-RNA,vith antibody to hepa titis C virus (anti-HCV), chronic liver dysfunction, number of blood t ransfusions, serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), duration of h emodialysis therapy, history of renal transplantation and patients' ag e and sex, Seventy-eight hemodialysis patients and 59 healthy controls were included in the study. Twenty-seven of 78 hemodialysis patients (34.6%) and two of the 59 healthy controls were serum HGV-RNA positive (p < 0.01, x(2) = 17.8), There was no significant difference between the HGV-RNA positive and HGV-RNA negative groups regarding mean durati on of dialysis therapy, anti-HCV, chronic liver dysfunction, number of blood transfusions, serum HBs Ag, duration of hemodialysis therapy hi story of renal transplantation and patients' age and sea. In conclusio n, hemodialysis patients carry the risk for HGV infection and transmis sion routes and clinical significance of HGV infection in these patien ts remain to be defined.