Prevalence of Anti-HCV antibody in haemodialysis patients referring to haemodialysis centers in Jahrom

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease among chronic renal failure (CRF) patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.The Management of HCV-related liver disease is a major health concern in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis. To investigate the prevalence of HCV infection in patients on haemodialysis in Jahrom. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all haemodialysis patients in Jahrom in April- May 2006. All the patients were screened for anti-HCV antibodies, using ELISA and confirmed by RIBA methods. Results: The findings of this study revealed that 3 patients(8.8%) were anti-HCV positive as confirmed by Elisa method and z (5.9%)as confirmed by Riba method. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV among the haemodialysis patients of Jahrom was 5.9% ,being is lower than that of haemodialysis patients in other countries.

Keywords

• hepatitis c virus
• haemodialysis patients
• antibody