HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE ORCHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE AND BLOOD-DONORS IN THAILAND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and genotypes, as well as markers of hepat itis B virus infection, were surveyed in 171 patients with chronic liv er disease, 276 patients with chronic renal failure, and 961 blood don ors in Thailand. HCV RNA was detected in 30 (23%) of 128 patients with nonalcoholic chronic liver disease and hepatitis B surface antigen (H BsAS) in 60 (47%), and both HCV RNA and HBsAS in 3; the cause of liver disease was not established in 41 (32%) patients. HCV RNA was detecte d in 44 (20%) of 221 patients on maintenance hemodialysis or with kidn ey transplantation, but in none of 55 patients on peritoneal dialysis. Antibodies to synthetic HCV core peptides were detected in 39 (4.1%) of sera from 961 blood donors, and HCV RNA was detected in 8 (0.8%). O f the 90 HCV RNA samples from patients and donors, genotype V prevaile d (46%) followed by II (22%), I (14%), III (3%), and VI (2%); genotype s were not classifiable into any of I-VI in the remaining 10%. There w ere six sera which contained HCV RNA, but were without antibody to HCV detectable by the second-generation enzyme immunoassay. HCV RNA titer s were high in four patients with kidney transplantation, but low in o ne patient with chronic liver disease and one patient on maintenance h emodialysis. HCV RNA at high titer (greater than or equal to 10(4)/ml) was not classifiable in one patient. These results indicate HCV of no vel genotypes in Thailand, seronegative HCV infection in patients with kidney transplantation, and a low risk of HCV infection in patients t reated by peritoneal dialysis. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.