14 Seroprevalence of hepatitis.pmd

1Department of Social Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Islamic Republic of Iran (Correspondence to Z.M. Amiri: [email protected]). Received: 23/09/03; accepted: 17/05/04 ABSTRACT We assessed the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors for all 298 haemodialysis patients in 7 dialysis units in Guilan province. Serum samples were screened for antiHCV antibodies using a second generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive samples were confirmed by immunoblot assay. Overall prevalence was 24.8% (range: 9%–40%; 95% CI: 19.9–29.7): 80 patients tested positive and 74 were confirmed positive by immunoblot assay. Length of time on dialysis and history of rejected kidney transplant were statistically significantly associated with HCV infection. Age, sex and previous blood transfusion were not associated. Nosocomial transmission may play a role in the spread of HCV in haemodialysis units. A separate dialysis system should be used for seropositive HCV patients.