PREVALENCE OF ANTI-HCV AND HCV VIREMIA IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS IN TAIWAN

Hepatitis C viral infection in 125 hemodialysis patients from Taiwan was studied using a second-generation anti-HCV immunoassay (EIA II) (Abbott HCV 2.0 EIA) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the HCV RNA in the serum. A total of 59 patients (47.2%) were positive by EIA II. In comparison, the conventional C100-3 anti-HCV assay was positive in 40 (32.0%). HCV RNA was found in 47 patients (37.6%). Patients with elevated serum transaminase level had a higher positive rate of anti-HCV and HCV RNA. The dialysis time was longer for those patients positive for anti-HCV than for those who were negative. A total of 57 of the 59 EIA II-positive cases had a history of blood transfusion. The HBsAg status did not influence the anti-HCV positivity. Among the 59 EIA II-positive patients, 66.1% were also positive for HCV RNA, and of the 47 HCV RNA-positive cases 83.0% were positive for EIA II. It is concluded that the high prevalence of specific HCV infection and HCV viremia was present in these patients. Prevention of cross-contamination during dialysis and blood screening before transfusion are important for the control of HCV infection in these patients.