Prevalence of HBV & HCV Infection in Patient on Haemodialysis in A Tertiary Health Care Centre, Bhavnagar

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viral infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis patients and pose problems in the management of the patients in the renal dialysis units. Chronic renal failure patients do not clear these viral infections efficiently. The present study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among Haemodialysis patient. Aims & Objective: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection by rapid antigen antibody detection testing in serum samples. Methods: This study was done in Sir-T Hospital from August, 2016 to September, 2016. Total 125 samples were tested from the patients undergoing frequent dialysis due to chronic renal failure. The dialysis unit has 20 haemodialysis machines out of 6 machines exclusively used for known sero positive patients. Blood samples were drawn from the patients before the start of the first haemodialysis and every month thereafter. The serum samples were screened for HBsAg and anti HCV antibody. Testing of the serum samples of the patient was done by the commercially available rapid Anti HCV (Immunocromatography for the rapid visual detection of HCV in serum) and rapid HBsAg (Immunocromatography for the rapid visual detection of HBsAg in serum) in serology section in the Microbiology Laboratory at Sir T hospital, Bhavnagar. Result & Observation: Total 125 samples were tested from the patients undergoing frequent dialysis due to chronic renal failure; out of which 18 [14.4%] samples were sero positive, in which 6 [33.3%] HBsAg was found positive; 12[66.7%] Anti HCV was found positive. In our study we have found 4 [22.2%] dual HBV & HCV infection. Conclusion: A significant risk of cirrhosis development and de-compensation of liver function is also observed in HBV and HCV infected haemodialysis patients. The risk is greater among the CRF patients due to the frequent exposure to blood from transfusions and extracorporeal circulation during haemodialysis. Immunization with HBV vaccine before beginning the dialysis will reduce infection of HBV and strict adherence to universal precautions in the dialysis units may help to decrease the prevalence of both infections among these high-risk patients. [Singel H NJIRM 2017; 8(2):164-165]