Author/Authors :
El-Amin, HH University of Khartoum, - Dr Salma Center for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Sudan , Osman, EM University of Khartoum - Dr Salma Center for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Sudan , Mekki, MO Federal Ministry of Health - Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan , Abdelraheem, MB University of Khartoum - Dr Salma Center for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Sudan , Ismail, MO University of Khartoum - Dr Salma Center for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Sudan , Yousif, MEA University of Khartoum - Dr Salma Center for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Sudan , Abass, AM Federal Ministry of Health - Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan , El-haj, HS University of Khartoum - Dr Salma Center for Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation, Sudan , Ammar, HK Ahfad University for Women and Epidemiological Laboratory, Sudan
Abstract :
Prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the hemodialysis population in Sudan is estimated to be around 34%. We undertook a cross sectional study in two major HD centers in Khartoum, Sudan for the prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the hemodialysis patients, during January to -March 2005. Testing for HCV antibodies was performed using 3 rd generation enzyme linked immunoadsorption assay (ELISA). A total of 236 patients were included in the study: 218 adults and 18 children. The mean age was 43.6 ± 15.6 years, and the majority was males: 71.6%. The cause of renal failure was unknown in 168 patients (71.2%). The mean HD duration was 36.6 ± 35.1 months. Prevalence of HCV seropositivity was 23.7%. Among 170 patients who were previously HCV seronegative, 30 (17.1%) seroconverted to positive in one year (estimated incidence: 63 new cases per year). HCV seropositivity was associated with longer duration of dialysis (p 0.00001), previous surgery (p= 0.026), age of over 30 and years (p = 0.008), and dialysis in multiple centers (p= 0.005). We conclude that although HCV seropositivity in our study was lower than previously reported, it was still high among HD patients in Sudan. Nosocomial transmission of HCV among hemodialysis patients is a contributing factor.
Keywords :
Hemodialysis , HCV , Chronic Renal , Failure
