Decline of hepatitis C infection in hemodialysis patients in Central Brazil: a ten years of surveillance
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Data
2005-07
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Resumo
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been a significant problem for hemodialysis patients. However this infection has
declined in regions where the screening for anti-HCV in blood banks and hemodialysis-specific infection control
measures were adopted. In Brazil, these measures were implemented in 1993 and 1996, respectively. In addition, all
studied units have implemented isolation of anti-HCV positive patients since 2000. In order to evaluate the impact
of these policies in the HCV infection prevalence, accumulated incidence, and risk factors in hemodialysis population
of Goiânia City, Central Brazil, all patients were interviewed and serum samples tested for HCV antibodies in
1993, 1996, 1999, and 2002. In the first six years (1993-1999), anti-HCV prevalence increased from 28.2 to 37.2%,
however a strong decrease in positivity was detected between 1999 and 2002 (37.8 vs 16.5%) when the measures
were fully implemented. Also, a decrease of the anti-HCV accumulated incidence in cohorts of susceptible individuals
during 1993-2002 (71%), 1996-2002 (34.2%), and 1999-2002 (11.7%) was found. Analysis of risk factors
showed that length of time on hemodialysis, blood transfusion before screening for anti-HCV and treatment in
multiple units were statistically associated with anti-HCV (p < 0.05). Our study showed a significant decline of
hepatitis C infection in hemodialysis patients of Central Brazil, ratifying the importance of public health strategies
for control and prevention of hepatitis C in the hemodialysis units.
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Palavras-chave
Hepatitis C, Central Brazil, Hemodialysis, Prevalence, Incidence, Risk factors
Citação
CARNEIRO, Megmar A. S. et al. Decline of hepatitis C infection in hemodilayis patients in Central Brazil: a 10-year of surveillance. Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, v. 100, n. 4, p. 345-349, July 2005.