HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION AMONG KIDNEY- TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

The extent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among kidney recipient s was investigated in 67 patients by testing for anti-HCV paired serum samples, collected at time of transplantation and during follow-up (3 2 +/- 20 months). Prevalence of anti-HCV at transplant time was 48%, a nd was related to the time on dialysis and to the amount of blood tran sfusions. Following transplantation, nine (28%) seropositive patients lost anti-HCV and five (14%), previously seronegative, seroconverted. Anti-HCV was found to be positive in 92% of the patients with chronic liver disease who were on hemodialysis, but in 56% in kidney recipient s with chronic hepatitis. Anti-HCV was positive in 50% of patients wit h resolving hepatitis before transplantation, but only in 21% of those with acute hepatitis following transplantation. This study confirms t he high risk of HCV infection among hemodialysis and kidney recipients populations, and also that HCV is closely related with the length of time on dialysis as well as the number of blood units transfused. HCV is the main cause of acute and chronic liver disease in kidney recipie nts, but does not clearly influence the survival of the allograft nor that of patients.