Acquisition of hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients: a prospective study by branched DNA signal amplification assay

Management of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with chronic kidney disease: position statement of the joint committee of Italian association for the study of the liver (AISF), Italian society of internal medicine (SIMI), Italian society of infectious and tropical disease (SIMIT) and Italian society of nephrology (SIN)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now considered a systemic disease due to the occurrence of extra-hepatic manifestations. Among these, the renal involvement is frequent. HCV infection, in fact, is strongly associated with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and negatively affects the prognosis of renal patients. In the last few years, availability of more specific and effective drugs against HCV has dramatically changed the clinical course of this disease. These drugs may provide further advantages in the CKD population as a whole by reducing progression of renal disease, mortality rate and by increasing the survival of graft in renal transplant recipients. The strict pathogenetic and prognostic link between HCV infection and CKD requires an ongoing relationship among the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of both HCV infection and CKD. Therefore, Scientific Societies involved in the care of this high-risk population in Italy have organized a joint expert panel. The aim of the panel is to produce a position statement that can be used in daily clinical practice for the management of HCV infected patients across the whole spectrum of renal disease, from the conservative phase to renal replacement treatments (dialysis and transplantation). Sharing specific evidence-based expertise of different professional healthcare is the first step to obtain a common ground of knowledge on which to instate a model for multidisciplinary management of this high-risk population. Statements cover seven areas including epidemiology of CKD, HCV-induced glomerular damage, HCV-related renal risk, staging of liver disease in patients with CKD, prevention of transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units, treatment of HCV infection and management of HCV in kidney transplantation.

Management of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with chronic kidney disease: position statement of the joint committee of Italian association for the study of the liver (AISF), Italian society of internal medicine (SIMI), Italian society of infectious and tropical disease (SIMIT) and Italian society of nephrology (SIN)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now considered a systemic disease due to the occurrence of extra-hepatic manifestations. Among these, the renal involvement is frequent. HCV infection, in fact, is strongly associated with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and negatively affects the prognosis of renal patients. In the last few years, availability of more specific and effective drugs against HCV has dramatically changed the clinical course of this disease. These drugs may provide further advantages in the CKD population as a whole by reducing progression of renal disease, mortality rate and by increasing the survival of graft in renal transplant recipients. The strict pathogenetic and prognostic link between HCV infection and CKD requires an ongoing relationship among the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of both HCV infection and CKD. Therefore, Scientific Societies involved in the care of this high-risk population in Italy have organized a joint expert panel. The aim of the panel is to produce a position statement that can be used in daily clinical practice for the management of HCV infected patients across the whole spectrum of renal disease, from the conservative phase to renal replacement treatments (dialysis and transplantation). Sharing specific evidence-based expertise of different professional healthcare is the first step to obtain a common ground of knowledge on which to instate a model for multidisciplinary management of this high-risk population. Statements cover seven areas including epidemiology of CKD, HCV-induced glomerular damage, HCV-related renal risk, staging of liver disease in patients with CKD, prevention of transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units, treatment of HCV infection and management of HCV in kidney transplantation.

Management of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with chronic kidney disease: position statement of the joint committee of Italian association for the study of the liver (AISF), Italian society of internal medicine (SIMI), Italian society of infectious and tropical disease (SIMIT) and Italian society of nephrology (SIN)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now considered a systemic disease due to the occurrence of extra-hepatic manifestations. Among these, the renal involvement is frequent. HCV infection, in fact, is strongly associated with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and negatively affects the prognosis of renal patients. In the last few years, availability of more specific and effective drugs against HCV has dramatically changed the clinical course of this disease. These drugs may provide further advantages in the CKD population as a whole by reducing progression of renal disease, mortality rate and by increasing the survival of graft in renal transplant recipients. The strict pathogenetic and prognostic link between HCV infection and CKD requires an ongoing relationship among the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of both HCV infection and CKD. Therefore, Scientific Societies involved in the care of this high-risk population in Italy have organized a joint expert panel. The aim of the panel is to produce a position statement that can be used in daily clinical practice for the management of HCV infected patients across the whole spectrum of renal disease, from the conservative phase to renal replacement treatments (dialysis and transplantation). Sharing specific evidence-based expertise of different professional healthcare is the first step to obtain a common ground of knowledge on which to instate a model for multidisciplinary management of this high-risk population. Statements cover seven areas including epidemiology of CKD, HCV-induced glomerular damage, HCV-related renal risk, staging of liver disease in patients with CKD, prevention of transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units, treatment of HCV infection and management of HCV in kidney transplantation.

Management of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with chronic kidney disease: position statement of the joint committee of Italian association for the study of the liver (AISF), Italian society of internal medicine (SIMI), Italian society of infectious and tropical disease (SIMIT) and Italian society of nephrology (SIN)

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now considered a systemic disease due to the occurrence of extra-hepatic manifestations. Among these, the renal involvement is frequent. HCV infection, in fact, is strongly associated with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and negatively affects the prognosis of renal patients. In the last few years, availability of more specific and effective drugs against HCV has dramatically changed the clinical course of this disease. These drugs may provide further advantages in the CKD population as a whole by reducing progression of renal disease, mortality rate and by increasing the survival of graft in renal transplant recipients. The strict pathogenetic and prognostic link between HCV infection and CKD requires an ongoing relationship among the healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of both HCV infection and CKD. Therefore, Scientific Societies involved in the care of this high-risk population in Italy have organized a joint expert panel. The aim of the panel is to produce a position statement that can be used in daily clinical practice for the management of HCV infected patients across the whole spectrum of renal disease, from the conservative phase to renal replacement treatments (dialysis and transplantation). Sharing specific evidence-based expertise of different professional healthcare is the first step to obtain a common ground of knowledge on which to instate a model for multidisciplinary management of this high-risk population. Statements cover seven areas including epidemiology of CKD, HCV-induced glomerular damage, HCV-related renal risk, staging of liver disease in patients with CKD, prevention of transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units, treatment of HCV infection and management of HCV in kidney transplantation.

A Large Nosocomial Outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus Infections at a Hemodialysis Center

Objective:

To identify modes of HCV transmission during an outbreak of HCV infection in a hemodialysis unit.

Design:

An epidemiologic study, virologie analysis, assessment of infection control practices and procedures, and technical examination of products and dialysis machines.

Setting:

A private hemodialysis unit treating approximately 70 patients.

Patients:

Detection of HCV RNA by PCR was performed among patients receiving dialysis in 2001. Case-patients were patients who had a first positive result for HCV RNA between January 2001 and January 2002 and either acute hepatitis, a seroconversion for HCV antibodies, or a previous negative result. Three control-patients were randomly selected per case-patient.

Results:

Of the 61 patients treated in the unit in 2001 and not infected with HCV, 22 (36.1%) became case-patients with onset from May 2001 to January 2002 for an incidence density rate of 70 per 100 patient-years. Phylogenic analysis identified four distinct HCV groups and an index case-patient for each with a similar virus among patients already known to be infected. No multidose medication vials or material was shared between patients. Connection to a dialysis machine by a nurse who had connected an HCV-infected patient “just before” or “one patient before” increased the risk of HCV infection, whereas using the same dialysis machine after a patient infected with HCV did not. Understating, lack of training, and breaches in infection control were documented. Direct observation of practices revealed frequent flooding of blood into the double filter on the arterial pressure tubing set.

Conclusions:

During this outbreak, HCV transmission was mainly patient to patient via healthcare workers' hands. However, transmission via dialysis machines because of possible contamination of internal components could not be excluded.

Novel Hepatitis C Treatment and the Impact on Kidney Transplantation

With a worldwide prevalence of 6% to 40% among patients with end-stage renal disease, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of comorbidity in kidney transplant candidates and recipients alike. Hepatitis C infection negatively impacts patient and allograft outcomes, predisposes to progressive liver disease and increases the risks of glomerular disease as well as new onset diabetes after transplantation. Treatment options until now have revolved around interferon, limited in efficacy, restricted to pretransplant administration because of concerns related to allograft dysfunction and immune stimulation, and fraught with high rates of intolerance. Direct-acting antivirals therapies are now emerging, providing the opportunity to effectively cure chronic HCV infection and to reduce the burden of hepatic and extrahepatic complications of HCV that are observed in kidney recipients, thereby offering hope of improved patient outcomes. Against a description of the major outcomes and risks that HCV+ kidney candidates and recipients encounter, and a summary of the pertinent studies of interferon-based therapies in this population, this review discusses the potential role for emerging direct-acting antivirals, proposing treatment algorithms that should be considered in the management of these complex patients. Conundrums relating to the new treatment, including the potential impact on the utilization of kidneys from HCV-infected donors, are presented.

Incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in patients on hemodialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Hepatitis C virus infection is a perennial concern for hemodialysis units because the prevalence of hepatitis C is significantly higher there than in the general population. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we aim to assess the incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis units and explore its potential risk factors. Five electronic databases were used to search articles from 1990 to 2012, including PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Wanfang. A random-effects analysis was used to estimate the overall incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection. A subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted to explore factors associated with heterogeneity between studies. Twenty-two eligible articles were found, including 23 incidence rate estimates. The overall incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection was 1.47 per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to 1.80). In the subgroup analysis, the pooled incidence rate was 4.44 (CI 2.65, 6.23) per 100 patient-years in the developing world and 0.99 (CI 0.66, 1.29) per 100 patient-years in the developed world. [Correction added on 2 November 2012, after first online publication: Pooled incidence rate in the developed world has been changed.] In addition, in hemodialysis units with higher prevalence, the incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection also tended to be higher. Meta-regression analysis showed that the country's development level and initial HCV prevalence combined could explain 67.91% of the observed heterogeneity. The incidence rate of hepatitis C virus infection among patients on hemodialysis was significantly high. Efforts should be taken to control hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis units, especially in developing countries.

Evolving epidemiology of hepatitis C virus

More than 20 years after the discovery of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), it is now well established that HCV is of global importance affecting all countries, leading to a major global health problem that requires widespread active interventions for its prevention and control. Chronic hepatitis C was linked to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in many areas of the world. Current epidemiological assessments have identified complex patterns with highly variable local prevalence rates between countries and within countries. HCV infection patterns have not significantly changed in most parts of the world since 1997, when first analyzed, partly due to the lack of new and more accurate data. The assessment of the national HCV prevalence and transmission modes should be completed to enable national authorities to prioritize preventive measures and to make the most appropriate use of available resources. The 'patchy' epidemiological situation in some areas will continue to complicate the task of the establishment of global, regional and national base line data. The present assessment finds a global prevalence of 2.35%, affecting 160 million chronically infected individuals. There is an urgent need for more accurate Information on the costs and burden of HCV to society. Twenty-one year after the discovery of HCV, the assessment is far from being complete and little progress has been made in the past 10 years in many countries. In some countries significant increases have been reported and this may also apply to countries were insufficient data exist. A safe and efficient vaccine against HCV is urgently needed.

Renal diseases and the liver

Many liver diseases coexist with chronic renal disease, because many systemic conditions affect both the liver and the kidneys. Certain liver diseases are also common in patients with chronic renal disease, especially viral hepatitis, either because the renal disease occurs as a complication of viral hepatitis, or the viral hepatitis is acquired as a result of dialysis. Renal tubular dysfunction is also frequently observed with cholestasis. However, liver complications of renal diseases are extremely uncommon, notable examples include nephrogenic ascites and nephrogenic hepatic dysfunction. Nephrogenic ascites can mimic liver cirrhosis with ascites, and it improves with renal transplantation. Nephrogenic hepatic dysfunction is a manifestation of renal cell carcinoma, which settles with the removal of the renal cell carcinoma, but returns with the recurrence of the tumor. In general, the presence of liver disease in patients with chronic renal disease makes management of both conditions more challenging. Viral hepatitis should be treated, if possible, before renal transplant. If cirrhosis is present, renal transplant alone is contraindicated; combined liver and kidney transplantation is indicated in patients with end-stage renal disease and advanced cirrhosis.

An overview about hepatitis C: a devastating virus

Hepatitis C (HCV) is the disease that has affected around 200 million people globally. HCV is a life threatening human pathogen, not only because of its high prevalence and worldwide burden but also because of the potentially serious complications of persistent HCV infection. Chronicity of the disease leads to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease. HCV positive hepatocytes vary between less than 5% and up to 100%, indicating the high rate of replication of viral RNA. HCV has a very high mutational rate that enables it to escape the immune system. Viral diversity has two levels; the genotypes and Quasiaspecies. Major HCV genotypes constitute genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 while more than 50 subtypes are known. All HCV genotypes have their particular patterns of geographical distribution and a slight drift in viral population has been observed in some parts of the globe.

Infection control guidelines for prevention of health care-associated transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses

Viral hepatitis was first identified as an occupational hazard for health care workers more than 60 years ago. For the past few decades, hepatitis B has been one of the most significant occupational infectious risks for health care providers. With the increasing prevalence of hepatitis C infections around the world, occupational transmission of this flavivirus from infected patients to their providers has also become a significant concern. Several factors influence the risk for occupational blood-borne hepatitis infection among health care providers, among them: the prevalence of infection among the population served, the infection status of the patients to whom workers are exposed (ie, the source patient's circulating viral burden), the types and frequencies of parenteral and mucosal exposures to blood and blood-containing body fluids, and whether the patient or provider has been immunized with the hepatitis B vaccine. This article reviews patient-to-provider, patient-to-patient, and provider-to-patient transmission of hepatitis B and C in the health care setting. Current prevention strategies, precautions, and guidelines are discussed.

HCV response in patients with end stage renal disease treated with combination pegylated interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin

GOALS

To determine the efficacy and safety of combination therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

BACKGROUND

There is little data on the treatment of ESRD patients with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. We designed a pilot study to determine the initial and 12-week posttreatment viral response.

STUDY

A nonrandomized, prospective observational study of adjusted-dose combination therapy. Twenty patients were enrolled and began pegylated interferon at 135 microg/wk SC, and 4 weeks later ribavirin was started at 200 mg PO weekly, increasing gradually to 3 times a week for a total of 48 weeks.

RESULTS

Twenty patients: M:F 18:2; mean age 52.4 years; genotype 1: 18, non-genotype 1: 2. Of the 20 patients, 5 withdrew before starting treatment. Of the 11 patients who reached 3 months, 6 had early virologic response, defined as at least a 2-log drop in their HCV count (54.5%). Of the 5 patients who were treated for 1-year, only 1 patient had a response 12 weeks after treatment. Side effects included 4 cases of anemia and 1 patient with headache.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial response rate in individuals taking 3 months of treatment in our study is comparable with studies in non-ESRD patients with no serious adverse side effects. However, the sustained posttreatment rate was low. This demonstrates that combination therapy is a safe therapeutic option in the ESRD population with HCV infection which needs further testing to determine if increasing the length of treatment and/or the dose of ribavirin will affect posttreatment rates.

[Treatment of hepatitis C in patients on renal replacement therapy]

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among patients on hemodialysis is about ten times higher than in the normal population. The infection can induce chronic glomerulonephritis, as an extrahepatic manifestation, which can lead to end stage renal disease. However, in the majority of the patients hepatitis C virus is acquired as a nosocomial infection during the hemodialysis. In most of the infected patients the liver enzymes are usually normal and need regular screening of the hepatitis C antibody to detect the infection. Despite of the normal liver enzymes, the liver disease may progress to cirrhosis. A part of the patients wait for renal transplantation. The immunosuppressive treatment after the renal transplantation results in a significantly increased viral replication which might induce further progression of the liver disease. Interferon treatment given after the transplantation can induce rejection and graft failure. Therefore the antiviral treatment should be administered during the hemodialysis or earlier. Only limited data are available with the treatment of patients with impaired renal function. Mostly alfa-interferon was used in these patients. Due to the impaired renal clearance and higher serum concentration interferon seems to be more effective, but less tolerable in patients with end stage renal disease than in normal patients. Ribavirin is also excreted exclusively by the kidney and the anemia is even more pronounced in these patients, therefore it is contraindicated in patients on hemodialysis. The pharmacokinetics of the pegylated interferon alfa-2a is very advantageous for the patients with end stage renal disease. The safety and efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a is now being confirmed in many publications.

The kidney transplant recipient with hepatitis C infection: pre- and posttransplantation treatment

Liver disease secondary to chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. Evaluation of patients with chronic HCV infection is warranted to determine stage of disease and the need for HCV therapy. Although combination therapy with interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin is the standard of care for chronic HCV infection, IFN monotherapy is recommended in dialysis patients because ribavirin is contraindicated in the presence of renal failure. The goals of pretransplantation HCV therapy are to decrease the risk for progression of HCV-associated liver disease, stabilize renal function in patients with HCV-related glomerulopathy, and prevent development of HCV-associated renal disease after transplantation. Posttransplantation HCV therapy is generally not recommended because of concerns regarding risk for precipitating acute rejection; however, antiviral therapy may be indicated to treat HCV-related glomerulopathy or prevent progression of chronic hepatitis C in patients with more advanced stages of fibrosis. When treatment is required, restored renal function allows use of combination therapy with IFN and ribavirin. Limitations of current HCV therapy include lack of tolerability and suboptimal response rates. New antiviral agents that can be used in dialysis patients (e.g., ribavirin alternatives) and in the posttransplantation setting (e.g., IFN alternatives) are needed to improve outcomes in these populations.

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus among long-term dialysis patients: a 9-year study in an Italian region

BACKGROUND

Monitoring hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (anti-HCV) in long-term dialysis patients is an important issue of public health. The aim of the study is to analyze the prevalence, seroconversion rate, and impact of HCV-positive serological test results on survival.

METHODS

We studied 6,412 patients starting long-term dialysis therapy reported to Lazio Dialysis Registry (Italy) between 1995 and 2003. HCV serological status was assessed by using second- or third-generation assays. Patients who were seronegative at the beginning of a period who became seropositive at the end of the same period are defined as seroconverters.

RESULTS

In 1995 to 2003, the overall prevalence of anti-HCV among long-term dialysis patients decreased from 30.6% to 15.1%; we did not observe a decrease in prevalence of anti-HCV in those starting dialysis treatment. After a decrease in the first year, HCV seroconversion rates remained stable at approximately 2 cases/100 person-years. Survival at 9 years was lower for both HCV seroconverters and those already anti-HCV positive at dialysis therapy initiation compared with HCV-negative subjects (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Results of a multiple Cox model showed that subjects who were or became anti-HCV positive had a hazard ratio of 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 1.44) compared with HCV-negative patients.

CONCLUSION

We did not observe a significant decrease in HCV seroconversion rates in 1995 to 2003. The overall decrease in anti-HCV prevalence could be related to the lower survival probability for both HCV seroconverters and those already HCV positive at long-term dialysis therapy initiation compared with HCV-negative subjects. Our findings confirm that additional efforts should be made to minimize the risk for HCV infection before and during long-term dialysis treatment.

Distribution of HCV genotypes in patients with end-stage renal disease according to type of dialysis treatment

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of types of dialysis treatments on hepatitis C virus infection and the epidemiologic properties of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at three Baskent University hospitals, in Ankara, Adana, and Izmir, Turkey, in 655, 326, and 118 patients with end-stage renal disease, respectively. One hundred thirty patients with HCV viremia among 271 patients with end-stage renal disease seropositive for HCV were included in this cross-sectional study. HCV RNA-positive patients were classified according to the renal replacement therapies (hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis), and viral load, transaminase levels, and distribution of genotypes were compared between these subgroups. In the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis group, 26 of 165 patients (16%) were serum anti-HCV positive, and 11 of 26 patients (42%) were serum HCV RNA positive. Twenty-six percent of the patients undergoing hemodialysis were anti-HCV positive, and 49% were HCV RNA positive. The prevalence of genotype 1b was 68% and 73% for patients in the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis groups, respectively. No significant differences were found between the genotype 1b and the non-1b groups or between different dialysis types with regard to age and sex and serum aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, and HCV RNA levels. We conclude that HCV seropositivity may differ between different types of dialysis treatments, although viral load and genotypes may be similar in persons with end-stage renal disease and those without.

An overview of psychiatric issues in liver disease for the consultation-liaison psychiatrist

Liver disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and elsewhere. Arising from infectious, hereditary, or toxin-induced sources, the detection of liver disease often requires a high index of suspicion. Clinical presentations are highly variable and are often accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms. This fact, along with an increased incidence of liver disease among patients with primary psychiatric disorders and the presence of varied drug use, complicates the tasks of providing care to patients with liver disease. To assist the consultation-liaison psychiatrist, the authors present the first of a two-part series focused on psychiatric issues in liver disease.

Incidence of HCV infection in French hemodialysis units: a prospective study

A large prospective study was carried out from 1997 to 2000 in 25 French hemodialysis units including 1,323 patients to determine the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Monthly testing of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, and assessment of HCV RNA and anti-HCV antibodies if the ALT activity was elevated, identified 14 new infections in 7 different units, giving an incidence of 0.4% new HCV infections per year. Molecular analyses and epidemiological data indicated that five patients became infected with HCV outside the unit where they were dialyzed, while the nine remaining patients acquired HCV from infected patients on dialysis during the same shift at the same unit. HCV was cleared in six of the seven (85.7%) patients with acute hepatitis C who were given standard doses of alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN). The persistence of nosocomial transmission of HCV in hemodialysis units emphasizes the need to implement infection control practices. Identifying new infections is crucial because alpha-IFN treatment results in long term clearance of HCV RNA in a large proportion of patients.

Incidence and patterns of hepatitis C virus seroconversion in a cohort of hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this multicenter hemodialysis (HD) cohort study is to prospectively investigate the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Greece from 1993 to 1995 and delineate early virological and serological events associated with HCV seroconversion in the HD setting.

METHODS

Sequential serum samples collected weekly from 562 patients were tested biochemically and serologically by means of a second- (EIA-2) and third-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3). All patients with positive antibody to HCV test results (anti-HCV + ) and sequential samples from seroconverting patients were tested for HCV RNA.

RESULTS

Anti-HCV prevalence at study entry was 29% (163 of 562 patients), and viremia was detectable in 110 of 163 anti-HCV + patients (67.5%). HCV incidence was 6.2 cases/100 person-years. Seroconversions could not be attributed to transfusions after study entry (only 1 patient had been administered transfusion), and HD unit was associated with increased hazard for seroconversion ( P = 0.002), even after adjusting for potential differences among their patients. According to Kaplan-Meier estimation, the median interval by which the HCV RNA assay detected HCV infection earlier than anti-HCV testing was 246 and 154 days for EIA-2 and EIA-3, respectively. Detectable HCV RNA and at least 2 consecutive abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels in the preseroconversion period were observed in 29 of 30 (97%) and 14 of 32 patients (44%), respectively. Reductions in HCV RNA levels immediately after seroconversion were transient or did not occur.

CONCLUSION

On the grounds of apparent nosocomial transmission, the wide window period of HCV infection in HD patients emphasizes the need for strict adherence to specific infection-control measures in this setting.

Treatment of hepatitis C in potential kidney and heart transplant patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common in certain solid organ transplant recipients, most notably in those undergoing liver or kidney transplantation. Infection typically antedates transplantation but may have been acquired at the time of transplantation via infected blood products or organs. A more rapid and aggressive course of HCV-related infection and liver disease is the major concern in organ transplant recipients compared with immunocompetent patients. HCV-related liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease treated by dialysis or transplantation. The outcome of HCV infection in renal and liver transplant recipients has been extensively investigated, whereas literature on HCV-related liver disease among patients with orthotopic heart transplantation is scanty. This article reviews the literature concerning the treatment of HCV-related liver disease in renal and orthotopic heart transplantation.

De novo HCV infection among dialysis patients: a prospective study by HCV core antigen ELISA assay

BACKGROUND

Dialysis patients remain a high-risk group for hepatitis C virus infection. The current diagnosis of hepatitis C virus in dialysis patients includes serological measurement of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody; however, nucleic acid amplification technology for assessing hepatitis C virus viraemia is commonly used in other populations. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test for detecting antibody to hepatitis C nucleocapsid core antigen (hepatitis C virus core antigen) in human serum has been recently developed (hepatitis C virus Core Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test). It is conceived for screening of donor blood products to significantly reduce the 'serologic window' occurring before seroconversion during acute hepatitis C virus.

AIM AND METHODS

A cohort (n = 72) of patients on maintenance haemodialysis in a single unit in the years 2000-2003 was included. Study patients were tested monthly by hepatitis C virus Core Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a prospective, clinical trial. Routine results obtained by hepatitis C virus Core Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test were confirmed by assessing hepatitis C virus viraemia by branched-chain DNA (bDNA) signal amplification assay.

RESULTS

De novo hepatitis C virus infection was identified in three patients during the study period; the hepatitis C virus incidence was 1.38% (95% confidence intervals, 1.31-4.09) per year. In each patient, hepatitis C virus core antigen testing allowed the serological identification of acute hepatitis C virus before anti-hepatitis C virus seroconversion. Hepatitis C virus RNA testing confirmed the results obtained by hepatitis C virus Core Antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all cases. The time from initial hepatitis C virus detection by hepatitis C virus Core Antigen Assay and anti-hepatitis C virus seroconversion was not greater than four weeks. Two (67%) of three patients with de novo hepatitis C virus acquisition were HBsAg negative; both these patients underwent an initial phase of hepatitis C virus viraemia that was associated with an increase in alanine aminotransferase activity and preceded the seroconversion to anti-hepatitis C virus antibody. Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus between haemodialysis patients was implicated in at least two (67%) of these three patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serological testing for hepatitis C virus core antigen can identify acute hepatitis C virus infection before anti-hepatitis C virus seroconversion. The time from initial hepatitis C virus detection by hepatitis C virus core antigen assay and anti-hepatitis C virus seroconversion was not >4 weeks. De novo acquisition of hepatitis C virus in haemodialysis was associated with a rise in alanine aminotransferase levels. Hepatitis C virus core antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test results can be obtained in routine laboratories without the need of special equipment or training. Hepatitis C virus core antigen testing among anti-hepatitis C virus negative patients on maintenance dialysis is suggested in order to early assess de novo hepatitis C virus within dialysis units.

Marked reduction in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients: causes and consequences

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in hemodialysis (HD) patients has decreased significantly in the course of the past decade in most HD units. The objective of this study is to analyze the causes of this reduction and obtain additional information for the near future that could be of use for health services planning.

METHODS

All patients who underwent HD in the Province of Cordoba, Spain, between January 1992 and December 2002 were studied. We analyzed annual exclusions from the HD program of HCV-positive patients (deaths and kidney transplantations) and inclusions (predialysis patients, patients with chronic graft rejection, and HD patients with acute HCV infection). The trend in the time series of measurements was calculated by means of exponential smoothing with 2 parameters.

RESULTS

In December 1992, the prevalence of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) was 24% (N = 54), whereas by December 2002, it had decreased to 9.2% (N = 35). Of 657 predialysis patients included in the maintenance HD program, 2.8% (n = 19) were positive for anti-HCV. Annual mean incidence of acute HCV infection was 0.5%, and the median was 0.32%. Mean crude annual mortality rates were 12.2% for anti-HCV-positive patients versus 9.9% for anti-HCV-negative patients. The trend in this time series suggests that by 2006, the prevalence of anti-HCV in HD patients will be approximately 2.5%.

CONCLUSION

Causes implicated in the reduction in prevalence of HCV infection in HD patients are a greater mortality rate, stabilization of the incidence of acute HCV infection, and a low percentage of HCV infection in predialysis patients. By the end of 2006, the rate of HCV infection in HD patients will be very close to that of the predialysis population.

Managing occupational risks for hepatitis C transmission in the health care setting

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant contemporary health problem in the United States and elsewhere. Because it is primarily transmitted via blood, hepatitis C infection presents risks for both nosocomial transmission to patients and occupational spread to health care workers. Recent insights into the pathogenesis, immunopathogenesis, natural history, and treatment of infection caused by this unique flavivirus provide a rationale for the use of new strategies for managing occupational hepatitis C infections when they occur. This article reviews this developing information. Recently published data demonstrate success rates in the treatment of "acute hepatitis C syndrome" that approach 100\%, and although these studies are not directly applicable to all occupational infections, they may provide important clues to optimal management strategies. In addition, the article delineates approaches to the prevention of occupational exposures and also addresses the difficult issue of managing HCV-infected health care providers. The article summarizes currently available data about the nosocomial epidemiology of HCV infection and the magnitude of risk and discusses several alternatives for managing exposure and infection. No evidence supports the use of immediate postexposure prophylaxis with immunoglobulin, immunomodulators, or antiviral agents. Based on the very limited data available, the watchful waiting and preemptive therapy strategies described in detail in this article represent reasonable interim approaches to the complex problem of managing occupational HCV infections, at least until more definitive data are obtained.

Comprehensive review of hepatitis C for psychiatrists: risks, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and interferon-based therapy complications

Hepatitis C is an RNA virus responsible for chronic infection in at least 4 million Americans. Patients are often unaware that they have contracted the virus until the appearance of long-term consequences of the infection, primarily cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Many patients with hepatitis C have comorbid psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders. Treatments for hepatitis C infection are based on interferon-alfa therapy and have shown increasing effectiveness in recent years; however, interferon-alfa therapy also poses significant risks for physical and neuropsychiatric side effects. Since psychiatrists often serve as primary caregivers for patients who are at higher risk for hepatitis C infection, knowledge about the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of this disease is needed. In the first half of this article, the authors review the epidemiology, transmission, pathophysiology and disease course of hepatitis C, as well as the neuropsychiatric complications of hepatitis C infection. They also discuss the incidence of comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with hepatitis C infection and consider the impact of the infection on patients' quality of life. The authors then provide an overview of the clinical management of HCV infection, including screening procedures, decision-making about treatment, available treatments (interferon-alfa, pegylated interferon-alpha, combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin) and their side effects and potential drug-drug interactions, and prediction of treatment response. The authors then discuss management of the neuropsychiatric complications of treatment with interferon-alpha and ribavirin, including depression, mania and psychosis, and cognitive and neurological complications. The final section of the article focuses on special issues related to the treatment of hepatitis C infection in patients with substance abuse or dependence and/or other comorbid psychiatric illness.

Hepatitis C infection and the patient with end-stage renal disease

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is an important cause of liver disease in this population. Acquisition of HCV infection continues to occur in dialysis patients because of nosocomial spread. The natural history of HCV in dialysis patients remains controversial because the course of HCV typically extends over decades, whereas dialysis patients have higher morbidity and mortality rates than those of the general population limiting long-term follow-up. However, recent reports suggest that HCV infection affects the survival of chronic dialysis patients as well as renal transplant (RT) recipients. The severity of preexisting liver disease on pretransplantation liver biopsy may provide useful prognostic information about clinical outcome after RT; liver biopsy should be incorporated in the evaluation and management of RT candidates with HCV. Recent surveys with long-term follow-up have documented adverse effects of HCV on patient and graft survival. Use of renal grafts from HCV-infected donors in recipients with HCV does not appear to result in a greater burden of liver disease albeit with short-term follow-up. There is only limited data about interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic dialysis patients, although sustained responses are reported. Preliminary data on IFN plus ribavirin therapy in dialysis patients with hepatitis C have given encouraging results, but randomized trials are needed. Interferon remains contraindicated post-RT because of concern about precipitating graft dysfunction.

Hepatitis C screening strategies in hemodialysis patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, with an estimated yearly incidence of 0.2% and prevalence between 8% and 10%. Although a screening strategy based on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values is currently recommended, this strategy has not been evaluated for cost-effectiveness compared with other potential screening strategies. A comparison therefore was made using a decision-analysis model of a simulated cohort of 5,000 hemodialysis patients followed up for 5 years. Using direct medical costs, three strategies were evaluated, including: (1) ALT values with confirmatory testing (biochemical), (2) serial enzyme-linked immunosorbent and strip immunoblot assay testing (serological), and (3) polymerase chain reaction (viral). Under baseline assumptions, the per-patient cost of screening hemodialysis patients for HCV was $378 for biochemical-based testing, $195 for serological-based testing, and $696 for viral-based testing. Our model was robust when varying the costs of testing, as well as the incidence and prevalence of HCV infection. Results of sensitivity analysis by varying costs, HCV incidence, and HCV prevalence indicated that serological-based screening was less costly than biochemical testing. Biochemical testing was in turn less costly than viral-based screening. Serological-based testing was also more effective in the diagnosis of de novo HCV infection, with a likelihood ratio of 85, in contrast to the likelihood ratio of 44 with biochemical-based testing using viral-based screening as the gold standard. A serological-based screening strategy is less costly and more effective than biochemical-based screening in the diagnosis of de novo HCV infection. Serological-based screening should be considered for HCV screening in hemodialysis populations.

Primer on hepatitis C for hospital epidemiologists

First identified in the late 1980s as the main causative agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is now the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States. It is likely that the number of deaths attributable to HCV-related chronic liver disease will increase substantially during the next 2 decades, and the potential economic and clinical burden related to HCV is staggering. Accordingly, it is essential to identify risk factors for transmission of HCV and implement appropriate precautions to decrease the prevalence of this emerging infection. The relative importance of the two most common types of exposures associated with transmission of HCV, ie, blood transfusion and injection drug use, has evolved over time. Strict blood-donor selection and the use of reliable serological tests have led to a significant reduction in transfusion-associated risk. Injection drug use is currently the single most important risk factor for HCV infection in the United States. Transmission of HCV poses a serious threat to healthcare workers and patients if infection control techniques or disinfection procedures are inadequate. Potential exposures include contact of the eyes, mucous membranes, broken skin, or needlestick injury. Hospitalized patients may serve as a reservoir for transmission, and the prevalence of anti-HCV seropositivity among such patients can be as high as 20%. The infected healthcare worker is a potential source of transmission. A recent molecular phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that a cardiac surgeon likely transmitted HCV to five of his patients during open heart surgery. In summary, nosocomial transmission has been unequivocally confirmed and underscores the need for strict infection control practices.

Molecular epidemiology of an outbreak of HCV in a hemodialysis unit: direct sequencing of HCV-HVR1 as an appropriate tool for phylogenetic analysis

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is still a serious problem in hemodialysis patients, despite screening of blood products for anti-HCV antibodies. The prevalence of HCV in HD patients is between 15% and 30% in Germany. We report the molecular epidemiology of an HCV outbreak in a hemodialysis unit in 1997 is determined. HCV hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) was amplified from serum samples of 19 patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced directly. In addition, HCV isolates from 3 of these 19 patients were cloned and sequenced. 14 newly infected patients and two patients, who had been infected for several years had very closely related HCV isolates. Unrelated HCV isolates as well as sequences obtained from an HCV outbreak in a plasmapheresis center were found in different, distantly related branches. These findings provide strong evidence for nosocomial transmission of the virus, despite following strict general hygiene precautions. The production of anti-HCV antibody was delayed significantly or seroconversion did not occur at all during the period of observation in 8 out of 14 newly infected HCV RNA positive patients. Close-meshed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses on apparently non infected patients within hemodialysis units and upon admission of new patients is strongly recommended for the early detection and prevention of outbreaks of HCV.

Biological dynamics of viral load in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus

The biological dynamics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia in uremic patients with chronic infection have not been fully characterized. We prospectively studied fluctuations of HCV-RNA in sera from 52 patients with end-stage renal disease who were undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and had chronic HCV infection. We measured HCV viremia monthly over the course of 13 months with the branched-chain DNA (bDNA) signal amplification assay and prospectively analyzed liver function, expressed by monthly serum aspartate (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) determinations. We observed three different patterns of HCV viremia: (1) patients persistently positive by bDNA assay (persistent viremia; 23 of 52 patients; 44%), (2) individuals with alternatively positive and negative results (intermittent viremia; 17 of 52 patients; 33%), and (3) patients persistently negative by bDNA assay (12 of 52 patients; 23%). The HCV viral load over the follow-up was greater among patients with persistent compared with intermittent viremia (persistent, 31.7 x 10(5) Eq/mL; range, 6.3 x 10(5) to 16.03 x 10(6) Eq/mL versus intermittent, 10.4 x 10(5) Eq/mL; range, 1.1 x 10(5) to 9.4 x 10(6) Eq/mL; P = 0.0001). In addition, patients with persistent viremia had over time greater AST and/or ALT activities than the intermittent group (AST: persistent, 26.5 IU/L; range, 9.6 to 73.7 IU/L versus intermittent, 21.3 IU/L; range, 8 to 56.8 IU/L; P = 0.001 and ALT: persistent, 14.7 IU/L; range, 3.7 to 57.9 IU/L versus intermittent, 10.9 IU/L; range, 2.3 to 52.1 IU/L; P = 0.001). In the group with persistent viremia, the mean difference between maximum and minimum values of HCV-RNA observed in each individual patient was 2.09 +/- 0.7 natural logarithm (Log(n)) and in intermittent viremic patients, 1.55 +/- 1 Log(n) (P = 0.045). The HCV load at study entry (19.4 x 10(5) Eq/mL) was rather low and did not change versus the end of follow-up in all patients (P = not significant [NS]). In the entire group, the fluctuations in HCV-RNA levels over time between and within individuals were not significant (P = NS). No difference in variability of HCV-RNA values over time between patients infected with different HCV genotypes was seen. In conclusion, three different patterns of HCV viremia in HD over time were assessed; one third of viremic patients had intermittent viremia, and those patients had less HCV-RNA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and aminotransferase activity than did patients with persistent HCV load. Larger fluctuations in HCV RNA levels occurred in patients with persistent than with intermittent HCV viremia. However, the viremic HCV load was low and relatively stable over a 13-month follow-up in our population. Studies with longer observation periods are warranted to understand fully the natural history of HCV in these immunosuppressed individuals.

Orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatitis C: outcome, effect of immunosuppression, and causes of retransplantation during an 8-year single-center experience

OBJECTIVE

To determine the outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for end-stage liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

HCV has become the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatic failure leading to OLT. Recurrent HCV after OLT is associated with significant complications and may lead to graft loss that requires retransplantation (re-OLT). The authors studied the outcome of transplantation for HCV, the effect of primary immunotherapy, and causes of retransplantation.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of their experience during an 8-year period (1990-1997), during which 374 patients underwent transplants for HCV (298 [79.6%] received one OLT; 76 [20.4%] required re-OLT). Median follow-up was 2 years (range 0 to 8.3). Immunosuppression was based on cyclosporine in 190 patients and tacrolimus in 132 patients. In a third group of patients, therapy was switched from cyclosporine to tacrolimus or from tacrolimus to cyclosporine (cyclosporine/tacrolimus group).

RESULTS

Overall, 1-, 2-, and 5-year actuarial patient survival rates were 86%, 82%, and 76%, respectively. The 2-year patient survival rate was 81 % in the cyclosporine group, 85% in the tacrolimus group, and 82% in the cyclosporine/tacrolimus group. In patients receiving one OLT, overall 1-, 2-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 85%, 81%, and 75%, respectively. The 2-year patient survival rate was 79% in the cyclosporine group, 84% in the tacrolimus group, and 80% in the cyclosporine/tacrolimus group. The overall graft survival rates were 70%, 65%, and 60% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. The graft survival rate at 2 years was similar under cyclosporine (68.5%), tacrolimus (64%), or cyclosporine/tacrolimus (60%) therapy. Re-OLT was required in 42 (11.2%) patients for graft dysfunction in the initial 30 days after OLT. Other causes for re-OLT included hepatic artery thrombosis in 10 (2.6%), chronic rejection in 8 (2.1%), and recurrent HCV in 13 (3.4%) patients. The overall survival rates after re-OLT were 63% and 58% at 1 and 2 years. The 1-year survival rate after re-OLT was 61 % for graft dysfunction, 50% for chronic rejection, 60% for hepatic artery thrombosis, and 60% for recurrent HCV. At re-OLT, 85.3% of the patients were critically ill (United Network for Organ Sharing [UNOS] status 1); only 14.7% of the patients were UNOS status 2 and 3. In re-OLT for chronic rejection and recurrent HCV, the 1-year survival rate of UNOS 1 patients was 38.4%, compared with 87.5% for UNOS 2 and 3 patients. In patients requiring re-OLT, there was no difference in the 1-year patient survival rate after re-OLT when cyclosporine (60%), tacrolimus (63%), or cyclosporine/tacrolimus (56%) was used for primary therapy. With cyclosporine, three patients (1.5%) required re-OLT for chronic rejection versus one patient (0.7%) with tacrolimus. Re-OLT for recurrent HCV was required in four (3%) and seven (3.6%) patients with tacrolimus and cyclosporine therapy, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthotopic liver transplantation for HCV is performed with excellent results. There are no distinct advantages to the use of cyclosporine versus tacrolimus immunosuppression when patient and graft survival are considered. Re-OLT is an important option in the treatment of recurrent HCV and should be performed early in the course of recurrent disease. Survival after re-OLT is not distinctively affected by cyclosporine or tacrolimus primary immunotherapy. The incidence of re-OLT for recurrent HCV or chronic rejection is low after either tacrolimus or cyclosporine therapy.