Hepatitis B vaccination in dialysis patients and nutritional status.

35 dialysis patients underwent anti-HBV vaccination. We classified patients in responders or non-responders using an anti-HBs titer of 50 UI/l as the discriminating serum level and tried to assess whether the antibody response bears any relationship with the nutritional status. 26 patients (74%) reached the target atb titer, which was maintained during follow-up (average 360 UI/l). The weak response in the other 9, with values never exceeding 20 UI/l, was short-lived. Anthropometric and impedenziometric parameters were higher in responders than in nonresponders, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that the atb titer which discriminates uremics in responders or not must be greater than 50 UI/l and that the nutritional status may interfere with the seroconversion rate, but this conclusion needs to be validated in a wider population.     

Hepatitis B and C in peritoneal dialysis patients

In most countries the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is lower than in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Besides a history of blood transfusions, previous HD is an important risk factor for developing HCV infection in PD patients. Many HCV-positive patients already are anti-HCV-positive before initiation of PD. Seroconversion to HCV during PD treatment is, therefore, a rare event. HCV RNA in serum is positive in 53% to 84% of anti-HCV-positive patients. Routine screening for HBV and HCV by using a second- or third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) should be performed in PD patients every 6 months. Asymptomatic HBV and HCV infection may be detected by elevation of transaminases, but lower cut-off levels should be preferred in PD patients. Prophylactic strategies include hygienic measures and HBV vaccination. The staff should be aware of the infectiousity of the PD effluent, especially in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients. Because of the smaller number of required blood transfusions and the increased use of home therapy, which reduces the risk for environmental contamination, PD is considered to be an important strategy for prevention of hepatitis in end-stage renal disease patients.     

Hepatitis G virus infection in chronic dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients

Background: The cloning of the hepatitis G virus (HGV), a novel RNA virus of the Flaviviridae family, has been very recently developed. HGV is known to be parenterally transmitted and has been detected in several patients with cryptogenic hepatitis. However, little information exists about the epidemiology of HGV infection in renal patients. We studied 178 chronic dialysis patients and 11 renal transplant individuals to evaluate prevalence risk factors and clinical manifestations of HGV infection in this population. Method: Hepatitis G virus infection has been detected by a modified PCR technology which incorporates digoxigenin-labelled nucleotides into the amplicon. Primers from the non-coding region and the NS-5 region of HGV are utilized for a single round amplification. Using a streptavidin surface and a biotin-labelled capture probe the labelled nucleic acid is bound through the capture probe to the surface, and the amplified nucleic acid is detected using antibody to digoxigenin. Results: HGV RNA was detected in 6% of chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients (11/172), 36% of renal transplant recipients (4/11), and 17% (1/6) of patients on peritoneal dialysis treatment (CAPD). There were no significant differences between HGV positive and negative patients on chronic HD treatment with regard to several demographic, biochemical and virological features. However, the frequency of anti-HCV antibody was significantly higher in HGV-positive than HGV-negative patients (9/11 (82%) vs 51/161 (32%), P=0.006). In the whole group of HGV RNA-positive patients, 78% (11/14) had a history of blood transfusion requirements, 14/16 (87%) had co-infection with HCV, and 1 (6%) had co-infection with HBsAg. There was no significant association between HCV genotypes and HGV RNA positivity. Six (27.5%) of 16 HGV RNA-positive patients showed raised aminotransferase values in serum. Conclusion: Patients on maintenance dialysis and kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk of HGV infection; HGV is very frequently associated to hepatitis C co-infection, regardless of HCV genotype. HGV may be transmitted by blood transfusions but transmission routes other than transfusion are possible; 37.5% of HGV RNA-positive patients showed raised serum amoinotransferase levels. Further investigations are necessary to clarify the role of HGV infection in the development of liver disease in this clinical setting.     

Hepatitis B vaccination in dialysis centres: advantages and limits.

A review is presented on the results achieved in HBV immunization of hemodialysis patients with aluminum-adsorbed, subunit plasma-derived and yeast-derived vaccines. The main host-related and immunization-related causes of low response are discussed. Various possibility to improve the vaccine performance through appropriate dosage and schedule, as well as immunopotentiating procedures are reported.     

Review article: Hepatitis B and dialysis

The incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in dialysis populations has declined over recent decades, largely because of improvements in infection control and widespread implementation of HBV vaccination. Regardless, outbreaks of infection continue to occur in dialysis units, and prevalence rates remain unacceptably high. For a variety of reasons, dialysis patients are at increased risk of acquiring HBV. They also demonstrate different disease manifestations compared with healthy individuals and are more likely to progress to chronic carriage. This paper will review the epidemiology, modes of transmission and diagnosis of HBV in this population. Prevention and treatment will be discussed, with a specific focus on strategies to improve vaccination response, new therapeutic options and selection of patients for therapy.     

Hepatitis C virus antibodies in dialysis pediatric patients.

A new 4-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay (4-RIBA) for confirmation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) C-100 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reactivity was tested in serum samples of 11 pediatric patients on dialysis. Of 6 HCV C-100 ELISA-positive samples, all were 4-RIBA positive. The 2nd generation ELISA picked up 1 additional case confirmed by 4-RIBA. The 2nd generation tests increased the prevalence of HCV-positive cases.     

Hepatitis B virus infection and the dialysis patient

Prevention of nosocomial transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been a signal achievement in the management of chronic kidney disease. The rate of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity in patients on maintenance hemodialysis in the developed world is currently low (0-10%) but outbreaks of acute HBV infection continue to occur in this setting. The prevalence of HBV infection within dialysis units in developing countries appears higher (2-20%) based on relatively few reports. Although data are limited, HBV infection in dialysis population diminishes survival; HBV viral load in HBsAg-positive dialysis patients is reportedly low and stable over time. Updated recommendations for the management of HBsAg chronic carriers on maintenance dialysis have been issued. No rigorously controlled treatment trials for treatment of hepatitis B with either interferon or lamivudine therapy in dialysis patients are currently available.     

Arterial calcification in dialysis patients and transplant recipients

Calcification of the cardiovascular system is well recognized in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving dialysis, persists following successful kidney transplantation, and is associated with a poor prognosis. Whether deposition of calcium in the arteries of such individuals contributes to excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remains uncertain as do the clinical advantages of slowing this process. However, detecting vascular calcification using simple imaging techniques such as plain radiographs or ultrasound can provide valuable information as to the nature of bone disease in patients receiving dialysis and may help to guide therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Further advances in our understanding of arterial calcification and its relationship to bone disease are likely to help in the future development of therapies for these interrelated conditions.     

Hepatitis C in liver transplant patients

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurs after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to define the natural history of post-transplantation chronic hepatitis due to HCV. Of 70 patients, 10 (14.3 %) were found to have antibodies to HCV before transplantation. After OLT 14 of the 70 patients (20%) had positive anti-HCV antibodies: 8 of 10 positive pre-OLT (80%) and 6 of 60 negative pre-OLT (10%). Of 14 patients anti-HCV + post-OLT (57%), developed 8 chronic hepatitis: chronic persistent hepatitis in three patients, chronic lobular hepatitis in three patients and chronic, active hepatitis in two patients. We treated four patients with interferon obtaining normalization of transaminases in three of them after 6 months, but with a severe relapse in two. These results suggest that hepatitis C recurs in a majority, of liver transplant recipients and that morbidity is an important consideration. Interferon treatment of these patients requires further study to obtain conclusive results.     

Trends in coronary artery calcification in peritoneal dialysis and transplant patients.

Sir, In a recent issue of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation,an interesting paper by Moe and co-workers was published thathas shown a substantial difference in trends of coronary arterycalcification (CAC) progression between patients remaining ondialysis and those who underwent renal transplantation (RTx)[1]. We would like to share our experience on this topic. We performed CAC assessment using multi-slice spiral computedtomography (MSCT; Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom, Siemens AG, Erlangen,Germany) in 61 patients (28 female, 33 male, mean age 50.4±13.6years, on dialysis for a period     

Pulmonary function in renal transplant recipients and end-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance dialysis

The aim of this study was to reveal the pulmonary function status of renal transplant recipients and chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The study involved 73 subjects, including 49 patients who were either on peritoneal dialysis (n = 22) or hemodialysis (n = 27), and 24 renal transplant recipients. The spirometry results revealed significantly higher residual volume and total lung capacity in the hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis groups than in the transplantation group. Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity was slightly below normal in the dialysis patients. Preservation of diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was noted in the hemodialysis group (112.4%). Inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength was reduced in all groups. Only type of dialysis was correlated with this reduction. Inspiratory muscle strength in the peritoneal dialysis group (49.9%) was significantly lower than in the transplantation and hemodialysis groups (54.7% and 66.5%, respectively). The spirometry findings suggest that small-airway disease causes increased residual volume and total lung capacity (hyperinflation) in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients and that this airway obstruction subsides after renal transplantation. Preserved diffusion capacity in the hemodialysis group was attributed to the use of biocompatible dialyzer membranes. Renal failure complications may be the main explanation for global respiratory muscle weakness in dialysis patients, whereas corticosteroid therapy might be the primary cause in kidney graft recipients. Significantly lower inspiratory muscle strength in the peritoneal dialysis group suggests that presence of intra-abdominal dialysate might interfere with diaphragmatic contraction.     

Hepatitis G virus exposure in dialysis patients

Background Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a blood-borne virus. The predominant route of its transmission is parenteral. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of HGV exposure in haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients in Iran. Methods This study was performed in a major dialysis centre in Tehran, Iran. The study cohort consisted of 77 patients on HD and 13 patients on CAPD. The presence of anti-HGV envelope protein E2 (anti-E2) in the blood serum, as determined by means of an ELISA assay, indicated HGV exposure. All patients were also screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). In patients who tested positive for anti-E2, HGV RNA was detected by RT-PCR using primers derived from the NS5A region of the viral genome. Results In total, 3.89% of the HD patients and none of the CAPD patients tested positive for anti-E2. None of the patients tested positive for HGV RNA. The mean age of the anti-E2-positive patients was 53.3 ± 26.5 years, with 66.66% having previously received blood transfusion. The mean duration of dialysis of the anti-E2-positive patients was 68 ± 64 months. Co-infection with HCV or HBV was not observed in the anti-E2 positive patients. Conclusion The rate of exposure to HGV was low among the dialysis patients in our study. The appearance of anti-E2 was accompanied by clearance of serum HGV-RNA. No relationship was noted between HGV exposure and age, sex, history of blood transfusion, time on dialysis and HCV or HBV markers.     

Associations of serologic markers of infection and inflammation with vascular disease events and mortality in American dialysis patients

Background Inflammatory markers predict cardiovascular risk and mortality in endstage renal disease. The relationship of chronic infections to inflammation and vascular disease events has not been reported among American dialysis patients. Methods We performed a cross-sectional and prospective study of a multiracial cohort of 97 chronic hemodialysis patients in California. Anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA and IgG antibodies (Cp-IgA and Cp-IgG), anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies (Hp-IgG), and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured at enrollment. We ascertained the prevalence of atherosclerotic vascular (coronary artery, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular) disease (AVD) events, and observed participants for at least 1 year for incident events and mortality. We defined statistical significance as P < 0.01. Results Elevated hsCRP levels (77%) and seropositivity to C. pneumoniae were common (Cp-IgA, 49%; Cp-IgG, 64%), whereas the seroprevalence of Hp-IgG was relatively low (25%). The hsCRP levels did not vary with infection status. In bivariate analysis, Cp-IgA and Cp-IgG were each associated with approximately fourfold higher odds of prevalent AVD (P < 0.01). Although anti-chlamydial antibodies maintained nearly significant associations with AVD after covariate adjustment (P < 0.05), antibodies did not predict outcomes over the period of observation. However, hsCRP was a nearly significant independent predictor of prevalent AVD (P = 0.02) and of mortality during follow-up (P = 0.01). We did not detect an association of Hp-IgG with any study outcome. Conclusions Our findings generalize a possible link between C. pneumoniae and prevalent atherosclerosis in American hemodialysis patients and confirm the importance of hsCRP as a prognostic indicator. Our work does not support H. pylori as an important mediator of cardiovascular risk in dialysis patients. The abstract for a portion of this work was presented at the American Society of Nephrology 36th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition, San Diego, CA, USA, November 2003 Institution at which work was performed: Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA     

Challenges in containing the burden of hepatitis B infection in dialysis and transplant patients in India

Aim: Whether or not completing the hepatitis B vaccination in patients who have undergone kidney transplantation in the middle of incomplete vaccination schedule leads to development of protective antibody titres is not known. This study was designed to determine whether the strategy of completing hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination after transplantation is efficacious. Methods: Sixty‐four end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs), hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA. HBsAg negative patients received four doses of 40 µg recombinant HBV vaccine. Schedule was continued in after transplantation period if it was incomplete before transplant. Anti‐Hbs titres were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: Past HBV infection was noted in 12 patients: 10 by serology plus viraemia and two by viraemia alone. Of the 46 patients without current or past HBV infection who had received at least two doses of the vaccine before transplant, 17 each had received two and three doses and 12 had completed the schedule. Seventeen (37%) exhibited protective titres. Patients who had completed vaccination were more likely to have protective titres than those incompletely vaccinated (P = 0.02). Five patients responded to post‐transplant vaccination. Conclusion: Partially vaccinated patients do not mount an adequate antibody response despite continued vaccination in the post‐transplant period, whereas complete vaccination provides protection in 60%. The present study data highlights the need of administration of a full schedule of HBV vaccination before kidney transplantation. Nucleic acid‐based tests can identify occult HBV infection.     

Hepatitis B virus infection in heart transplant recipients in a hepatitis B endemic area.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is hyperendemic in Taiwan. It is almost impossible for us to reject organ donors or recipients with positive serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We report our experience with HBV infection in heart transplant recipients with particular attention to outcome of recipients who were HBsAg+ or who had received donor hearts from HBsAg+ donors. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: In the study, we included 101 heart recipients with post-transplant survival of more than 6 months. According to pre-transplant HBV serology markers, we divided patients into 4 groups. Group 1 (n = 8) had been HBsAg+ at the time of heart transplantation. Of these, 6 patients had HBV reactivation in the post-transplant follow-up and needed lamivudine treatment. Complete response was achieved in all 6 patients; however, HBV recurrence occurred in 1 patient after 8 months of lamivudine treatment. The recurrence remained under partial control. Group 2 (n = 16) was HBV na?ve at the time of heart transplantation. Of these, 2 received HBsAg+ donor hearts under perioperative hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis. HBV infection was successfully prevented in 1 patient, but the other contracted HBV hepatitis, which was successfully treated with lamivudine. In Group 2, 10 patients received donor hearts from anti-HBs+ donors, and none contracted HBV hepatitis after transplantation. Group 3 (n = 55) had protective anti-HBs antibody at the time of heart transplantation either from previous HBV vaccination (n = 10) or from natural HGB infection (n = 45). HBsAg+ donor hearts were transplanted into 2 patients with anti-HBs from previous HBV vaccination, and into 8 patients with anti-HBs form natural HBV infection. However, none of these 10 patients who received HBsAg+ donor hearts had HBV hepatitis after transplantation. Group 4 (n = 22) was HBs-, anti-HBs-, and anti-HBc+ at the time of heart transplantation. Of these, 7 patients received HBsAg+ donor hearts. Six patients experienced no HBV hepatitis after heart transplantation, and serum HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the time of heart transplantation was negative in all 6 patients. One patient had HBV hepatitis after transplantation, and serum HBV DNA by PCR at the time of heart transplantation also was positive. CONCLUSION: HBV reactivation after the heart transplantation was common but usually well controlled with lamivudine treatment. Therefore, HBV carrier status should not contraindicate heart transplantation. HBsAg+ donor hearts were safely transplanted into anti-HBs+ recipients; therefore, HBsAg+ itself was not a contraindication to heart donation. Patients with HBsAg-, anti-HBs-, anti-HBc+, and negative HBV DNA in the serum by PCR could be protected from HBV infection from HBsAg+ donor hearts. However, patients with HBsAg-, anti-HBs-, anti-HBc+, and positive HBV DNA in the serum by PCR should be recognized as HBV carriers and closely followed for potential HBV flare-up after heart transplantation.