Hepatitis C virus infection in four haemodialysis units of southern Italy:Epidemiological report

The haemodialysis patients are an high risk population for hepatitis viral infections. While the incidence of HBV has decreased worldwide, HCV is now the major cause of viral infection in these patients. The aim of our study was to define a complete map of patients undergoing routine replacement the rapy by haemodialysis in the province of Foggia, Southern Italy, who were H CV Ab positive, the presence of viraemia and their genotypes; moreover, we investigated the probable factors involved in determining the infection as well as the means of prevention. Materials and methods: We enrolled 330 pat ients treated in four haemodialysis centres (DC) and six secondary units; m ean age was 57 years and mean duration of dialysis 76 months. Samples were drawn to determine cytolysis indexes and the HCV Ab status; in HCV positive patients, we also looked for viraemia and HCV genotypes. Data were analyse d by a transversal cross-section study. Results and conclusions: Prevalence of HCV infection was 0.43 (males 0.45, females 0.42). The risk of contract ing the infection was shown to be significantly different in the various DC s and did not seem to be related to the severity of the preventive measures . There was no significant difference between the various DCs in the compar ison between the odds of HCV-RNA+ and HCV-RNA- patients. No significant pre valence of a given genotype emerged from a cross-sectional study related to the comparison between different genotypes. Moreover, transfusions of bloo d products seemed to have no significant relation to HCV infection. Finally , patients treated with haemodialysis for more than 36 months run a seven t ime greater risk of contracting HCV infection.