Author/Authors :
Ashuntantang, Gloria E. University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences - Dept of Internal Medicine Specialties, Cameroun , Njouom, Richard Centre Pasteur du Cameroun - Virology Laboratory, Cameroun , Kengne, Andre-Pascal Medical Research Council of South Africa, South Africa , Ngemhe, Antoine N. University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences - Dept of Internal Medicine Specialties, Cameroun , Kaze, Francois F. University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences - Dept of Internal Medicine Specialties, Cameroun , Luma, Henry N. University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences - Dept of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hematology, Cameroun , Njoya, Oudou University of Yaoundé 1 - Faculty of Medicine Biomedical Sciences - Dept of Internal Medicine Specialties, Cameroun
Abstract :
PURPOSE Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) is a high risk milieu for nosocomial Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We evaluated the rate and potential risk factors of seroconversion to anti-HCV positivity in maintenance HD patients in a tertiary hospital in Cameroon METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study involving 40 patients on HD for at least 3 months with a negative baseline HCV serology tested with a third -generation ELISA (Monolisa anti-HCV plus version 2, Biorad) who were retested by the same test during March and April 2010. Relevant clinical patient data were recorded. The Fischer and Student tests or equivalents were used to determine the rate of seroconversion to anti-HCV positivity and the potential risk factors. RESULTS The mean age was 48±13yrs, median duration on dialysis of 17 months (IQR12-25.7), median number of blood units transfused of 5 (IQR 3-18.5). Ten of the 40 patients developed anti-HCV antibodies on dialysis (cumulative seroconversion rate 25%). A longer duration on dialysis (14 vs. 27 months, p=0.003) and a higher number of blood units received (19.5 vs. 5 units, p 0.001) where significantly associated with seroconversion CONCLUSION The seroconversion rate to anti-HCV positivity in this study is alarming. Longer dialysis on duration, higher frequency of blood transfusions and perhaps non-adherence to universal infection control measures were potential risk factors of this nosocomial transmission.
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Hemodialysis , hepatitis C antibodies , seroconversion , risk factors
