Screening and Diagnosis of Hepatitis C infection in Hemodialysis Patients Mervat

Study was done on Egyptian hemodialysis patient of detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type and type 2(anti-HIVl\2) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). HCV antibodies are insensitive in the acute phase because of the long serological window. Direct detection of HCV depends on PCR test but this test is not suitable for routine screening. Recombinant immunoblot assays are used as supplemental tests. The results from 200 individuals 120 males (60%) and 80 females (40 %) in the eight dialysis centers in Egypt were analyzed in this study. All patients were negative for antibodies to HIV and HBsAg. Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) 100 patients were negative HCVAb (50%), 70 pateints positive HCVAb (35%). 30 patients were in grey zone (15%) Twenty patients from 100 negative HCVAb as control group were confirmed by HCVRNA (PCR), 7 were positive (35%) and 13(65%) were negative. The grey zone 30 patients showed 2 (6.7%)negative and 28(93.3%) positive HCVRNA. Thirty Patients from 70 positve anti-l 1CV showed one (3.3%)negative and 29 (96.7%) positive HCV-RNA.