Abstract

CAPOTE PEREIRA, Lázaro L. et al. Effectiveness of the isolation of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the hemodialysis unit. Rev Cub Med Mil [online]. 2006, vol.35, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3046.

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a frequent complication in patients presenting chronic renal failure (CRF) that undergo periodical hemodialysis. The main transmission routes are blood transfusions and the nosocomial route. An analytical retrospective cohort study was undertaken in the Dialysis Unit of the Higher Institute of Military Medicine from 1995 to 2000 to analyze the incidence of HCV infection per year in hemodyalysis patients and its association with different variables as physical closeness and fulfilment of universal measures. The study period was divided into 5 strata. A sample of 53 patients was analyzed and anti-HCV was determined by second and third generation ELISA every month. The analysis of prevalence per study period showed an increase from 12.5 % in 1995-1996 to 31 % in 1999-2000. The global rate of incidence was 1.01 per 100 months/patients, with a maximum level between 1997 and 1998 (2.6/100 months/patients). After isolating the patients and reinforcing the fulfilment of universal measures, the incidence decreased to 1,5 and 0,4 in 1998-1999 and 1999-2000, respectively. The fulfilment of the treatment measures related to prevention of HCV transmission in hemodialysis is necessary and effective to decrease the incidence of this infection, but these measures by themselves do not solve the problem, and isolation measures should be taken depending on the particularities of each dialysis center.

Keywords : Hemodialysis; hepatitis C virus; seroprevalence; terminal chronic renal failure.