| Theme |
New Strategies to Control Viral Hepatitis in Dialysis Patients |
| Title |
Diagnosis of hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients : surveillance |
| Author |
Takashi Harada |
Sakuramachi Hospital - Clinic |
| Author |
Yoshiaki Lee |
Sakuramachi Hospital - Clinic |
| Author |
Satoshi Funakoshi |
Sakuramachi Hospital - Clinic |
| [ Summary ] |
The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections is still higher in hemodialysis patients than in the general population. It is necessary to examine markers for the hepatitis virus to diagnoses viral hepatitis；especially HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA and its genotype are useful in estimating and monitoring the effectiveness of antiviral therapies. Animotransferase levels in hemodialysis patients are lower than those in normal subjects. However, the levels of ALT in patients with HCV infection are higher than those in the patients without HCV infection. Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis should be tested when they first start hemodialysis or when they transfer from another hemodialysis facility. For patients on maintenance hemodialysis who test negative for HCV, retesting every 6 months with EIA should be considered. Testing for HCV with EIA should be performed for hemodialysis patients with unexplained elevations of ALT levels even when within normal levels. Results of testing for HCV should be given to patients and families and privacy should be protected. |