Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in haemodialysis patients

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B exposure and antibodies against the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was assessed in 86 haemodialysis patients at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) using the commercial radioimmunoassay and ortho HCV ELISA assay. Of the 86 patients included in the study, 42 were male with a mean age of 44.9 years and a mean duration of dialysis of 2.4 years. Forty-four were female with a mean age of 48.4 years and a mean duration of dialysis of 2.3 years. Hepatitis B exposure was 57% and 12.8% of haemodialysis patients were positive for HBsAg, whereas 39.8% of patients were positive for anti-HCV. There was a significant correlation ( P =0.00007) between anti-HCV positivity and the length of time on haemodialysis. However, there was no significant correlation found between the number of blood transfusions received and anti-HCV positivity. There was also no significant correlation found between HBsAg and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positivity and the number of blood transfusions or the length of time on haemodialysis, nor between hepatitis B and C exposure and elevated aminotransferase levels.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in haemodialysis patients

SUMMARY: The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B exposure and antibodies against the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was assessed in 86 haemodialysis patients at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) using the commercial radioimmunoassay and ortho HCV ELISA assay. of the 86 patients included in the study, 42 were male with a mean age of 44.9 years and a mean duration of dialysis of 2.4 years. Forty-four were female with a mean age of 48.4 years and a mean duration of dialysis of 2.3 years. Hepatitis B exposure was 57% and 12.8% of haemodialysis patients were positive for HBsAg, whereas 39.8% of patients were positive for anti-HCV. There was a significant correlation ( P = 0.00007) between anti-HCV positivity and the length of time on haemodialysis. However, there was no significant correlation found between the number of blood transfusions received and anti-HCV positivity. There was also no significant correlation found between HBsAg and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) positivity and the number of blood transfusions or the length of time on haemodialysis, nor between hepatitis B and C exposure and elevated aminotransferase levels.     

Clinical features of renal diseases in South-East Asia

Summary: The renal diseases in South-East Asia are similar to other parts of the world (i.e. glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, HT, obstructive uropathy, adult-onset polycystic kidney disease, nephrolithiasis and tubulointerstitial diseases). IgA nephropathy with haematuria is most common in Singapore, while IgM nephropathy with nephrotic syndrome is common in Thailand. Lupus nephritis is the most common cause of secondary glomerulonephritis and a major cause of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Acute renal failure from specific infection (malaria, leptospirosis, melioidosis), from toxin exposure (snake bite, wasp sting), from exertional heat stroke, and from drugs is frequently found. Nephrolithiasis, distal renal tubular acidosis and hypokalaemia are endemic in NE Thailand. In conclusion, the broad clinical features of renal diseases in South-East Asia are similar to other regions, with additional specific causes from infections, toxic, metabolic and environmental derangements associated with these tropical locations.