ANTI-HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-ANTIBODIES AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS VIREMIA IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

Sera from 82 haemodialysis patients were tested for anti-HCV, HCV-RNA, and HBsAg. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was monitored week ly for 2 months. Anti-HCV was positive in 31 patients (37.8%), showing different single-peptide patterns. HCV-RNA was detected in 26 anti-HC V-positive patients (84%) and also in two of 21 anti-HCV-negative pati ents. Twenty-seven (87%) of the 31 anti-HCV-positive patients had pers istently normal ALT values; 22 of these patients were HCV-RNA positive . The four patients with elevated ALT values had HCV viraemia. HBsAg w as positive in nine anti-HCV-negative patients. The close correlation between HCV viraemia and HCV status, independently of ALT values, requ ires that anti-HCV dialysis patients must be considered potentially in fective and dialysed with reserved machines and/or in separate shifts.