Relationships between plasma ferritin and aminotransferase profile in haemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus

BACKGROUND.: HCV infection is a major complication among patients undergoingdialysis therapy throughout the world. In the years prior tothe use of human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEpo), patientsundergoing haemodialysis were subjected to an excessive ironload as a consequence of frequent blood transfusions. Recentdata in the non-dialysis population have shown a positive correlationbetween iron deposits and the severity of HCV hepatitis andbetween iron deposition and an impaired response to interferontherapy. METHODS.: One hundred and five haemodialysis patients were studied. Everypatient was screened for HCV infection by ELISA II and HCV RNA.Serum biochemistries were analysed by SMAC20. Ferritin was measuredby radioimmunoassay. RESULTS.: The aminotransferase levels for the HCV positive (n=39) andnegative patients (n=66) were below the normal levels for thegeneral population. The mean values of aminotransferases andplasma ferritin were, however, higher in the HCV-positive patientsthan in the HCV-negative patients. A positive correlation betweenaminotransferases and plasma ferritin was evident in HCV-positivepatients, which was absent in the HCV-negative individuals.The histological severity of liver disease (n=7) was, however,not statistically related with the levels of either ferritinor aminotransferases. CONCLUSIONS.: HCV infection is a relevant variable when estimating iron depositsby measuring plasma ferritin. Accordingly, a misinterpretationof the actual amount of iron deposits may occur in HCV-positivepatients, which should be taken into account at the time ofplanning their iron reposition therapy. On the other hand, thelevel of iron deposits might have a significant role in theevolution of HCV-related liver disease.