PMID: 18209355Jan 23, 2008Paper

Hepatitis C Virus Sero-status in Hemodialysis Patients Returning from Holiday: Another Risk Factor for HCV Transmission

Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation : an Official Publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
S M Al-Ghamdi, A S Al-Harbi

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an endemic disease in most hemodialysis (HD) units in Saudi Arabia. We observed that many of our HD patients seroconvert shortly after returning from "holiday dialysis" in other units. We investigated this issue together with other possible factors related to HCV transmission. During the study period, 56 patients were being dialyzed in our unit. Systematic screening was performed on all patients for anti-HCV antibody utilizing ELISA 2.0 and/or RIBA 3.0 and HBsAg every three months together with aminotransferases activity. The same tests were carried out on patients returning from "holiday dialysis" in other units. Test for HCV-RNA was performed in patients with elevated aminotransferases and negative HCV serology. HCV-antibody was positive in 32 patients (57%) of whom 15 (27%) were already positive at the time of starting HD and 17 (30%) seroconverted after starting HD. A total of 24 patients (43%) remained sero-negative. Comparing the sero-converters (SC) to the remained sero-negatives (RSN), the SC had been out for "holiday dialysis" more than the RSN with a mean number of such HD treatments of 16 versus 4 (P= 0.006). The SC had longer duration on dialysis, 38 versus 19 months for the RSN....Continue Reading

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.