Hepatitis C virus in patients on regular hemodialysis in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients (HD) varies from country to country and from one center to another. Despite the existence of guidelines for a comprehensive infection control program, Egypt is one of the countries with high HCV prevalence. In Egypt, the prevalence of HCV in haemadalysis patients (2015) was 50.7%.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To detect the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HCV seroconversion among all hemodialysis patients in Beni-Suef governorate, and (2) To detect factors associated with HCV seroconversion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multicenter retrospective medical records review design was conducted in 13 hemodialysis units in Beni-Suef governorate during May - June 2015; all ESRD (End stage renal disease) patients undergoing hemodialysis were included in the sample. A predesigned questionnaire was used.

RESULTS: The prevalence of the HCV at begin of dialysis was 60.9% and the rate of HCV seroconversion was 9.7%. Univariate analysis confirmed that history of blood transfusion, the non-adherence to infection control guidelines, lack of isolation strategies and history of Shistosomiasis were significant risk factors for seroconversion. Meanwhile multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that history of blood transfusion, and history of shistosomiasis were significantly associated with HCV seroconversion.

CONCLUSION: HCV infection still remains a predominant problem among patients on maintenance HD in Beni- Suef governorate History of blood transfusion and history of shistosomiasis were significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection in these patients.