Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection at three hemodialysis units in the western region of Puerto Rico
Bol. Asoc. Méd. P. R
; Bol. Asoc. Méd. P. R;91(7/12): 100-102, Jul.-Dec. 1999.
Article
em En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-411351
Biblioteca responsável:
BR1.1
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE:
In the United States hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) affects approximately 20 percent of hemodialysis patients but its prevalence in Puerto Rico has not been established. We have sought to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in a homogeneous sample of patients on hemodialysis in the western region of Puerto Rico and to identify its risks factors.METHODS:
All patients in the hemodialysis units of Aguadilla, Mayagüez and San Germán, during December 1997 to March 1998, completed a written questionnaire in which they were asked about transfusions, multiple sexual partners, i.v. drugs use, tattooing, occupation, imprisonment, organ transplantation and years on hemodialysis. Serum samples were analysed for HCV antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Sera with positive results for HCV were subjected to a confirmatory test by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).RESULTS:
Thirteen of the 376 (3) subjects had a positive ELISA (one patient died prior the confirmatory test with PCR). Six out of the twelve patients had a positive PCR. Two had been transfused. Three were illicit i.v. drug users and one had received a renal transplant. The liver biopsies in all patients showed chronic hepatitis and in two there was cirrhosis.CONCLUSIONS:
Our prevalence was two percent. As reported elsewhere blood transfusion, organ transplantation and illicit i.v. drug abuse were the major risk factors for HCV infection in our patients. Nosocomial factors were irrelevant in theresults:
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
LILACS
Assunto principal:
Hepatite C
/
Unidades Hospitalares de Hemodiálise
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Caribe
/
Puerto rico
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Bol. Asoc. Méd. P. R
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Porto Rico
País de publicação:
Porto Rico