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Kwon E, Cho JH, Jang HM, Kim YS, Kang SW, Yang CW, Kim NH, Kim HJ, Park JM, Lee JE, Jung HY, Choi JY, Park SH, Kim CD, Kim YL. Differential Effect of Viral Hepatitis Infection on Mortality among Korean Maintenance Dialysis Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135476. [PMID: 26263373 PMCID: PMC4532453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in terms of survival among dialysis patients remains incompletely understood. In the present multicenter prospective cohort study, we investigated the prevalences of HBV and HCV infection among 3,321 patients receiving maintenance dialysis in Korea, and assessed the impacts of these infections on survival. All included patients underwent hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibody (Ab) testing, which revealed that 236 patients (7.1%) were HBsAg-positive, and 123 patients (3.7%) were HCV Ab-positive. HBsAg-positive and HCV Ab-positive patients were matched to hepatitis virus-negative patients using a propensity score at a ratio of 1:2. The prevalences of HBV and HCV infection did not significantly differ according to dialysis modality. Linear-by-linear association analysis revealed that hepatitis B prevalence significantly increased with increasing dialysis vintage (p = 0.001), and hepatitis C prevalence tended to be higher with increasing dialysis vintage (p = 0.074). We compared the survival of HBsAg-positive and HCV Ab-positive patients to that of hepatitis virus-negative patients. After propensity score matching, cumulative survival did not differ between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients (p = 0.37), while HCV Ab-positive patients showed significantly lower survival than HCV Ab-negative patients (p = 0.03). The main conclusions of the present study are that HBV infection prevalence increased with longer dialysis vintage, and that both HBV and HCV infections were most prevalent among patients with the longest dialysis vintage. Additionally, HCV infection among maintenance dialysis patients is associated with an increased risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Kwon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Jang-Hee Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Hye Min Jang
- Department of Statistics, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Yon Su Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Shin-Wook Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Chul Woo Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Nam-Ho Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Hyun-Ji Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Jeung-Min Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Hee-Yeon Jung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Ji-Young Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Chan-Duck Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
| | - Yong-Lim Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
- Clinical Research Center for End Stage Renal Disease in Korea
- BK21Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
- * E-mail:
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An archived serum sample as a clue for identifying the primary source of a nosocomial hepatitis C virus outbreak in a haemodialysis unit. Arch Virol 2014; 159:2207-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s00705-014-2074-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bastos DO, Perez RM, Silva IS, Lemos LB, Simonetti JP, Medina-Pestana JO, Silva AEB, Ferraz ML. Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) for the assessment of viremia in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C. J Med Virol 2012; 84:596-600. [PMID: 22337298 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in hemodialysis patients is difficult particularly due to the presence of intermittent viremia. The aims of this study were: (a) to determine the prevalence of intermittent viremia in hemodialysis patients with anti-HCV antibodies who tested negative for HCV RNA by PCR at the first evaluation and (b) to evaluate the contribution of the transcription-mediated amplification method (TMA) to the diagnosis of viremia in the PCR-negative samples. One hundred and six patients with anti-HCV antibodies and an initial negative result for HCV RNA by PCR were included. An additional sample was collected for a second HCV RNA test by PCR after a minimum interval of 3 months and a positive result characterized intermittent viremia. HCV RNA was investigated by TMA in the PCR-negative sample of patients with intermittent viremia, and in the most recent sample from patients with PCR-negative results in both determinations. Intermittent viremia was observed in 60/106 (57%) patients (57% men; age: 45 ± 10 years). Fifty-one of the 60 negative samples from patients with intermittent viremia and 29/46 double-negative patients were tested by TMA. This assay detected viremia in 20/51 (39%) samples of intermittent viremia and in 2/29 (7%) of double-negative samples. The results showed that intermittent viremia is frequent in hemodialysis patients who tested negative for HCV RNA by PCR. Therefore, a second HCV RNA test is necessary for all HCV RNA-negative patients. The TMA assay appears to be the best first screening test for viremia in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dauana O Bastos
- Division of Gastroenterology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Tresó B, Barcsay E, Tarján A, Horváth G, Dencs A, Hettmann A, Csépai MM, Gyori Z, Rusvai E, Takács M. Prevalence and correlates of HCV, HVB, and HIV infection among prison inmates and staff, Hungary. J Urban Health 2012; 89:108-16. [PMID: 22143408 PMCID: PMC3284587 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-011-9626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this national, multicenter, cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) among prisoners, and to identify related risk behaviors including injection drug use. Overall, 4,894 inmates from 20 prisons were enrolled. To have a comparison group, prison staff were also asked to take part. Altogether, 1,553 of the 4,894 inmates from seven prisons completed a questionnaire on risk behaviors. According to the survey, 1.5%, 4.9%, and 0.04% of the prisoners were tested positive for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV, respectively. These prevalence data are among the lowest reported from prisons worldwide, although comparable to the Central European data. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in the Hungarian prison staff was low (0.38%, 0.47%, and 0%, respectively). The rate of HCV infection was significantly higher among inmates who have ever injected drugs (22.5%) than among inmates who reported they had never injected drugs (1.1%). This first prevalence study of illegal drug injection-related viral infections among Hungarian prisoners points out that ever injecting drugs is the main reason for HCV infection among inmates. The opportunity to reach drug users infected with HCV for treatment underlines the importance of screening programs for blood-borne viruses in prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bálint Tresó
- National Center for Epidemiology, Budapest, Hungary
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Dencs A, Hettmann A, Martyin T, Jekkel C, Bányai T, Takács M. Phylogenetic investigation of nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus in an oncology ward. J Med Virol 2011; 83:428-36. [PMID: 21264863 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Nosocomial hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been reported from different health-care settings worldwide. Twenty patients, treated at the same oncology department, with no previous record of hepatitis C infection, tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies between November 2007 and June 2008. Twelve of the newly infected patients were found to be HCV RNA positive. The common origin of the infections was assumed. To investigate the relatedness of the detected viral strains phylogenetic analyses were performed using sequences from the NS5B and E1/E2 genome regions. A patient carrying HCV for years was also involved in the study. She was treated at the same oncology department and was considered a possible infectious source. The previous HCV carrier harbored subtype 1b, while all other patients were infected with subtype 1a. Sequences from the 12 newly infected patients formed two groups. The viral sequences within the groups were very closely related. A greater evolutionary distance was observed between the two groups; however, their relatedness could be demonstrated by sequences from both regions with high statistical support. The results indicated that nosocomial transmission occurred. The phylogenetic analyses suggested that the viruses originated from a common source, possibly a patient carrying highly divergent variants. This presumed infectious source could not be identified in the course of this study. The genotype distribution of Hungarian control sequences included in the analysis confirmed this conclusion, since HCV genotype 1a was found to be relatively uncommon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Dencs
- Division of Virology, National Center for Epidemiology, Budapest, Hungary
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Twenty-four mini-pool HCV RNA screening in a routine clinical virology laboratory setting: A six-year prospective study. J Virol Methods 2011; 171:303-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2010.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2010] [Revised: 11/02/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Rao V, Fabrizi F, Pennell P, Schiff E, de Medina M, Lane JR, Martin P, Ivor L. Improved detection of hepatitis C virus infection by transcription-mediated amplification technology in dialysis population. Ren Fail 2010; 32:721-6. [PMID: 20540641 DOI: 10.3109/0886022x.2010.486499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains common among patients undergoing maintenance dialysis and plays an adverse effect on survival in this population. Accurate detection of HCV viremia (HCV RNA) in dialysis patients requires a sensitive and specific diagnostic test. METHODS The Versant HCV RNA Qualitative Assay, based on transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) technique, was prospectively evaluated in 112 dialysis patients. Performance characteristics of the Versant HCV TMA Assay were evaluated in comparison to the Amplicor((R)) 2.0 HCV test based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. In addition, anti-HCV serologic tests including third-generation enzyme immunoassay and Recombinant Immunoblot Assay were performed. RESULTS Of the 112 specimens tested, 29 were reactive by Versant HCV TMA Assay, yielding an overall prevalence of HCV viremia of 25.9%. The concordance between TMA and PCR techniques was excellent [91% (101/112)]. Eleven specimens (10%) were invalid or equivocal by PCR due to interference phenomena; all 11 specimens had valid TMA results (2 patients being TMA reactive and 9 nonreactive). Four specimens [3.6% (4/112)] that tested PCR-negative and HCV TMA nonreactive were anti-HCV seropositive, consistent with resolved HCV infection. In the group of seronegative samples, one was reactive by TMA Assay [1.25% (1/80)]. CONCLUSIONS The HCV TMA technology seems a highly sensitive tool for detecting HCV RNA in the dialysis population, with no evidence of specimen interference. One EIA-negative but HCV-RNA-positive patient by Versant HCV TMA Assay was identified. Prospective clinical trials are under way to assess the clinical impact related to the use of HCV TMA technology in dialysis population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinaya Rao
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Sauné K, Kamar N, Miédougé M, Weclawiak H, Dubois M, Izopet J, Rostaing L. Decreased prevalence and incidence of HCV markers in haemodialysis units: a multicentric French survey. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2010; 26:2309-16. [PMID: 21097646 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfq696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A variety of epidemiological data provide evidence for the nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections to haemodialysis patients. We conducted a multicentric study to determine the prevalence and incidence of HCV infection in French haemodialysis units. METHODS Patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis in 56 French units (4718 patients) were systematically screened for anti-HCV antibodies using third-generation tests. The incidence was estimated by detecting HCV RNA in seronegative patients using a standardized real-time PCR assay on pooled samples. RESULTS Testing for HCV antibodies identified 361 patients with anti-HCV antibodies, giving a prevalence of 7.7%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that anti-HCV status was linked to the time on haemodialysis, previous kidney transplantation and the presence of anti-HBc antibodies, whereas erythropoietin therapy and carrying out dialysis in dedicated spaces seem to protect against HCV infection. Only two of the 4357 patients without anti-HCV antibodies tested positive for HCV RNA, giving an estimated incidence of 0.05% new HCV infections/year. Molecular analyses indicated that the two patients probably acquired HCV outside the haemodialysis unit. CONCLUSION This decreased prevalence and incidence emphasizes the importance of adhering to the recommended universal infection-control precautions. Virological follow-up based on detecting anti-HCV antibodies with sensitive, specific new-generation serological tests could be adequate for dialysis units with few HCV infections. However, new infections in haemodialysis units should be identified by determining the HCV RNA status of seronegative patients. Standardized real-time PCR assays, plus pooling serum samples, make this a promising method for large-scale epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Sauné
- INSERM U563, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France
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Souza JF, Longui CA, Miorin LA, Sens YA. Gamma-glutamyltransferase activity in chronic dialysis patients and renal transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus infection. Transplant Proc 2008; 40:1319-23. [PMID: 18589096 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.03.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2007] [Revised: 12/27/2007] [Accepted: 03/06/2008] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The prevalences of chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its genotypes vary among countries and ethnic groups. Among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and transplant recipients, the evolution of hepatic disease seems atypical and has not been established. In this study we compared the prevalence and HCV genotypic distribution among Brazilian patients with ESRD on dialysis or with transplantations. Moreover, we sought to compare the behavior of biochemical markers of hepatic activity of HCV infection in both groups. We prospectively evaluated 87 ESRD patients on dialysis and 105 transplant patients. Blood samples were obtained to perform qualitative HCV-RNA, genotyping, and, periodically, serum levels of aminotransferases (ALT, AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alpha-fetoprotein (AFT), and albumin. The prevalence of HCV in ESRD patients was similar to recipients (19.5% vs 25.7%; P = NS) and the most frequent genotype was 1a. There was no difference in the mean values of ALT, GGT, AFT, and serum albumin between both groups with HCV infection. The mean values of aminotransferases were slightly elevated and a high frequency of patients evolved with persistently normal parameters. In contrast, the mean values of the GGT were 3 or 4 times above the reference limit and a greater frequency of patients evolved with values persistently elevated in the 2 groups. In conclusion, in the 2 groups the prevalence of HCV infection was elevated; the most frequent genotype was 1a. Among the biochemical parameters, GGT seemed to be useful as an indirect marker of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Souza
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Santa Casa of Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Appendix 1: Liver biopsy in patients with CKD. Kidney Int 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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Guideline 4: Management of HCV-infected patients before and after kidney transplantation. Kidney Int 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Guideline 5: Diagnosis and management of kidney diseases associated with HCV infection. Kidney Int 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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Appendix 2: Methods for guideline development. Kidney Int 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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References. Kidney Int 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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Guideline 1: Detection and evaluation of HCV in CKD. Kidney Int 2008. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
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Kalantar-Zadeh K, Kilpatrick RD, McAllister CJ, Miller LG, Daar ES, Gjertson DW, Kopple JD, Greenland S. Hepatitis C virus and death risk in hemodialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 2007; 18:1584-93. [PMID: 17429053 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2006070736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common and may be associated with poor clinical outcomes. It was hypothesized that HCV infection would be associated with high all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in these patients after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, including surrogates of malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome. A national database of 13,664 MHD patients who underwent HCV antibody serology testing at least once during a 3-yr interval (July 2001 through June 2004) was analyzed. Measurements included third-generation HCV enzyme immunoassay and routine laboratory measurements. The HCV enzyme immunoassay was reported positive in 1590 (12%) patients. In logistic regression models that included case mix and available surrogates of malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome, HCV infection was associated with younger age, male gender, black race, Hispanic ethnicity, Medicaid insurance, longer dialysis vintage (duration), unmarried status, HIV infection, and smoking history. In proportional-hazards regressions, the mortality hazard ratio that was associated with HCV infection was 1.25 (95% confidence interval 1.12 to 1.39; P < 0.001). Mortality hazards were higher among incident (dialysis duration <6 mo) than prevalent HD patients. Subgroup analyses indicated that HCV was associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality across almost all clinical, demographic, and laboratory groups of patients. Hence, in MHD patients, HCV infection exhibits distinct demographic, clinical, and laboratory patterns, including associations with higher dialysis treatment vintage, and is associated with higher mortality. More diligent efforts to prevent and treat HCV infection may improve outcomes in MHD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
- Harold Simmons Center for Kidney Disease Research and Epidemiology, Los Angeles Biomedical Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90509-2910, USA.
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Seme K, Mocilnik T, Fujs K, Babic DZ, Todorović A, Fras-Stefan T, Poljak M. Twenty-four mini-pool HCV RNA screening outside a blood transfusion setting: Results of a 2-year prospective study. J Virol Methods 2007; 140:218-21. [PMID: 17157928 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2006.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2006] [Revised: 11/02/2006] [Accepted: 11/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The usefulness of 24 mini-pool hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA screening was evaluated in a 2-year prospective study carried out on a total of 6432 consecutive anti-HCV negative specimens in a routine diagnostic laboratory setting. A total of 268 mini-pools were tested using an automated commercial PCR assay for qualitative detection of HCV RNA, with a lower limit of detection of 50 IU/ml. Eighteen (0.28%) anti-HCV negative/HCV RNA positive serum samples obtained from 12 patients (all intravenous drug users), were detected. Ten patients responded to an invitation for follow-up testing. Five, three and one patient seroconverted in the first, second and third follow-up sample, respectively. One patient had not seroconverted by the end of the study period. The interval between the first HCV RNA positive sample and the first anti-HCV positive samples was 24-192 days. The costs of detecting a single anti-HCV negative/HCV RNA positive sample and a single anti-HCV negative/HCV RNA positive patient using the 24 mini-pool HCV RNA screening strategy were estimated to be around euro 643 and 965, respectively. It was shown that screening for HCV infection using the 24 mini-pool HCV RNA screening strategy can also be both useful and cost effective outside a blood transfusion setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Seme
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty of Ljubljana, Zaloska 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Kalantar-Zadeh K, Daar ES, Eysselein VE, Miller LG. Hepatitis C inflection in dialysis patients: a link to poor clinical outcome? Int Urol Nephrol 2006; 39:247-59. [PMID: 17009087 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-006-9075-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2006] [Accepted: 06/21/2006] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Among the 350,000 maintenance dialysis patients in the USA, the mortality rate is high (20-23% per year) as is the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (5-15%). An additional same number of dialysis patients in the USA may be infected with HCV but have undetectable HCV antibodies. Almost half of all deaths in dialysis patients, including HCV-infected patients, are due to cardiovascular disease. Since over two-thirds of dialysis patients die within 5 years of initiating dialysis and because markers of malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome (MICS), rather than traditional cardiovascular risk factors, are among the strongest predictors of early death in these patients, the impact of HCV infection on nutritional status and inflammation may be a main cause of poor survival in this population. Based on data from our cross-sectional and limited longitudinal studies, we hypothesize that HCV infection confounds the association between MICS and clinical outcomes in dialysis patients and, by doing so, leads to higher short-term cardiovascular events and death. Understanding the natural history of HCV and its association with inflammation, nutrition and outcomes in dialysis patients may lead to testing more effective anti-HCV management strategies in this and other similar patient populations, providing benefits not only for HCV infection but the detrimental consequences associated with this infection. In this article, we review the link between the HCV infection and mortality in dialysis patients and compare HCV antibody to molecular methods to detect HCV infection in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1124 West Carson Street, C1-Annex, Torrance, CA 90509-2910, USA.
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Ansaldi F, Bruzzone B, Testino G, Bassetti M, Gasparini R, Crovari P, Icardi G. Combination hepatitis C virus antigen and antibody immunoassay as a new tool for early diagnosis of infection. J Viral Hepat 2006; 13:5-10. [PMID: 16364076 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00646.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Reduction of the window period of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents an important goal in the transfusional and diagnostic setting. A prototype assay designed to simultaneously detect circulating HCV antigen and anti-HCV, has been developed. Aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this new assay in terms of specificity and sensitivity and to compare its efficacy with commercial assays. To evaluate the specificity of the assay, 400 samples from the general population and 100 'difficult' sera, negative for anti-HCV, were tested. To assess sensitivity, the new test was used on 76 PCR-positive and anti-HCV negative sera, seven natural or commercial seroconversion panels that included 17 RNA-positive and anti-HCV negative sera and 31 anti-HCV positive sera, 20 weak anti-HCV positive sera, 80 viraemic and anti-HCV-positive sera from patients infected with different subtypes and 10 sera from patients with HBV-HCV or HIV-HCV co-infections. Of 500 anti-HCV negative samples, 499 (99.8%) were negative with a cut-off index <0.5, while one sample was within the grey zone. Of the 93 HCV-RNA positive and anti-HCV negative sera from patients and panels, 85 (91.4%) resulted positive, and one had the cut-off index in the grey zone. The reduction in the diagnostic window period observed with the new test and HCV-RNA assays were equal, on average, to 24 and 34.4 days respectively. All anti-HCV positive sera were positive. The new assay shows high sensitivity and specificity and could be a useful tool not only in the diagnostic setting, where procedures to reduce the window period, such as antigen or HCV-RNA detection, are not currently recommended, but also in the screening of blood donations, when nucleic acid technologies is not feasible because of costs, organization, emergency and/or logistic difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Ansaldi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Rigopoulou EI, Stefanidis I, Liaskos C, Zervou EK, Rizos C, Mina P, Zachou K, Syrganis C, Patsidis E, Kyriakopoulos G, Sdrakas L, Tsianas N, Dalekos GN. HCV-RNA qualitative assay based on transcription mediated amplification improves the detection of hepatitis C virus infection in patients on hemodialysis: results from five hemodialysis units in central Greece. J Clin Virol 2005; 34:81-5. [PMID: 16009596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2005.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2005] [Revised: 05/25/2005] [Accepted: 05/25/2005] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND End-stage renal disease patients (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. An early and accurate diagnosis of HCV infection is important for the prevention of viral transmission and the management of ESRD patients on HD but conventional ELISA and PCR have often failed to reveal active HCV infection. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the prevalence of HCV infection in ESRD patients from all HD units in central Greece using a sensitive HCV-RNA transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay and compared its sensitivity with that of anti-HCV ELISA. STUDY DESIGN Anti-HCV antibody (third generation ELISA), HCV-RNA (TMA) and HCV genotypes (HCV TMA-LiPA) were determined in 366 ESRD Greek patients. RESULTS In total, 132 (36%) ESRD patients were HCV positive by ELISA or TMA; 44 by TMA alone, 16 by ELISA alone and 72 positive by both assays. More than half of the viraemic patients had genotype 3a. CONCLUSIONS HCV-RNA (TMA) assay appears to increase the accuracy in the diagnosis of HCV infection in HD patients compared to the anti-HCV ELISA and could serve as an additional screening tool in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini I Rigopoulou
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, Academic Liver Unit and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, 22 Papakiriazi str., 412 22 Larissa, Greece
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Aswad S, Khan NS, Comanor L, Chinchilla C, Corado L, Mone T, Mendez R, Mendez R. Role of nucleic acid testing in cadaver organ donor screening: detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in seropositive and seronegative donors. J Viral Hepat 2005; 12:627-34. [PMID: 16255764 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00632.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission by both seropositive and seronegative cadaver organ donors has been documented, yet nucleic acid testing is not routinely used to identify active infection in these donors prior to transplantation. Between November 2001 and February 2004, we screened 1445 cadaver organ donors for anti-HCV antibodies with either HCV EIA-2.0 (Abbott Diagnostics, Chicago, IL, USA) and/or Ortho HCV Version 3.0 ELISA (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA) and confirmed seropositive samples with Chiron RIBA3.0 SIA (Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, CA, USA). Samples with sufficient volume (n = 726) were tested by the VERSANT HCV [transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)] Qualitative assay (Bayer Healthcare LLC, Tarrytown, NY, USA) which can be performed in approximately 5 h. Those with detectable HCV RNA and sufficient volume were quantified by the VERSANT HCV 3.0 (bDNA) Assay (Bayer Healthcare LLC) and/or the HCV RNA TMA Quantitative Assay (n = 23) and genotyped (n = 57). Seventy-seven of 1445 (5.3%) donors were seropositive, reactive by either one or both anti-HCV assays. Fifty-two of 63 (82.5%) of the seropositive samples had detectable HCV RNA and were genotyped. Seventeen of these samples had quantifications ranging from 128,123 to >7,692,307 IU/mL. Six of 663 (0.9%) seronegative samples had detectable HCV RNA. Their quantifications ranged from <9.3 to 1,464,799 IU/mL, and five of these six were successfully genotyped. As HCV RNA was demonstrated in samples from both our seropositive and seronegative cadaver organ donors, we are now incorporating nucleic acid testing into our donor screening/diagnostic algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Aswad
- National Institute of Transplantation; Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Kalantar-Zadeh K, Miller LG, Daar ES. Diagnostic discordance for hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis 2005; 46:290-300. [PMID: 16112048 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2005.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2005] [Accepted: 05/04/2005] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increase in proinflammatory cytokine levels. Similar changes are seen in maintenance hemodialysis patients with malnutrition-inflammation-cachexia syndrome (MICS), which is associated with poor clinical outcomes in this population. We hypothesized that HCV transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), a sensitive qualitative molecular test for HCV RNA, may identify maintenance hemodialysis patients with HCV infection not detected by means of antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA), particularly in those with MICS. METHODS We evaluated HCV status in 314 maintenance hemodialysis patients by using HCV antibody EIA (version 2.0; Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) and HCV TMA (Bayer Diagnostics Laboratories, Berkeley, CA). RESULTS Twenty-five patients (8%) were EIA positive (EIA+)/TMA+; 4 patients (1%), EIA+/TMA negative (TMA-), and 22 patients (7%), EIA-/TMA+. In the 47 TMA+ patients, the sensitivity of EIA for HCV infection was only 53%. TMA+ patients had lower albumin levels and higher tumor necrosis factor alpha and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels than TMA- patients. EIA+/TMA+ patients were more likely than EIA-/TMA+ or EIA-/TMA- patients to have hypoalbuminemia and higher iron and transaminase levels. Of all TMA+ patients, EIA- patients were more likely to have diabetes, be on dialysis therapy longer, and have lower liver enzyme levels and higher proinflammatory cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6. CONCLUSION Maintenance hemodialysis patients infected with HCV according to TMA have clinical features suggestive of MICS. In this population, HCV EIA appears to have a low sensitivity for the identification of HCV infection, which may be caused by the confounding effect of MICS or other demographic or clinical factors. These apparently false-negative HCV antibody test results are seen in persons with a longer time on hemodialysis therapy, mirroring observations in other populations with serious progressive conditions, such as human immunodeficiency virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Los Angeles Biomedical Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
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