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High frequency of occult HCV infection in HD patients
Author(s) -
Barril G.,
Castillo I,
Arenas D.,
RodriguezInigo E.,
Espinosa M.,
Garcia Valdecases J.,
Selgas R.,
Carreno V.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
hemodialysis international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.658
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1542-4758
pISSN - 1492-7535
DOI - 10.1111/j.1492-7535.2005.1121aj.x
Subject(s) - medicine , occult , hepatitis c virus , hbsag , serology , hepatitis c , population , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , gastroenterology , etiology , immunology , hepatitis b virus , pathology , virus , antibody , biology , in vitro , biochemistry , alternative medicine , environmental health
Occult HCV infection in liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients with cryptogenic chronic hepatitis (anti‐HCV, serum HCV RNA negative) and no renal diseases, has been reported (1). In this work we studied the existence of occult HCV infection in PBMC of HD patients. Inclusion criteria: high ALT (>28 IU/l) and/or gamma‐GPT levels, negative serological HCV and HBV markers (anti‐HCV, serum HCV‐RNA and HBsAg negative), and exclusion of other causes of liver damage. Four Spanish HD units participated in the study and 40 patients were enrolled; 40 (25 males) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. HCV‐RNA in PBMC was tested by RT‐PCR and by in situ hybridization. Occult HCV infection was found in 24/40 (60%) patients by RT‐PCR and all cases were confirmed by in situ hybridization. No differences were found regarding gender, etiology of renal disease, or fluctuant or persistent abnormal liver enzymes values. Among patients with occult HCV infection, 4/24 (16.7%) had only increased ALT levels; 7/24 (29.2.%) GGTP values; and both enzymes were elevated in 13/24 (54.2%). In our population, 60% HD patients with persistent or fluctuant ALT and/or GGTP values of unknown etiology and negative for serological viral markers (including serum HCV‐RNA) have an occult HCV infection in PBMC and these patients could be potentially infectious. (1) J Infect Dis 2004;189: 7–14.