Occurrence of hepatitis B and C infection among hemodialyzed patients with chronic renal failure in Qazvin, Iran: A preliminary study

Background: A critical problem for hemodialysis patients are hepatitis infections. Some of the risk factors associated with HBV infection include blood transfusion, frequency, and duration of hemodialysis, and equipment contamination of infected patients. In fact, HCV infection through dialysis units has increased worldwide. Aims & Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialysis patients in Qazvin province, Iran. Methods & Materials: The data were obtained from a total of 195 patients who have been receiving hemodialysis for years, and who were screened for the presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibodies. Results: Results showed that six patients (3.1%) had the hepatitis B antigen and 13 patients (6.7%) had hepatitis C. Of the total sample, 195 patients participated in this study. Five patients (3.2%) were found to have seropositive hepatitis markers. Two patients (1.3%) were HBsAg seropositive and three patients (1.9%) were anti-HCV seropositive. Conclusion: Considering the outcome of this study, education for dangerous behaviors along with screening, vaccination, and appropriate treatment for hepatitis is strongly recommended to control this persistent infectious source of hepatitis B and C in the community. Taking the medical history without a screening blood test for HBV and HCV might lead to treating infected patients as non-infected ones.