Influence of Hemodialysis Procedure on HCV RNA Detection in Serum and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Aim. To assess whether hemodialysis procedure induces qualitative or quantitative changes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. Methods. We obtained blood samples in the 10 HCV RNA-positive patients of our hemodialysis unit before (sample I) and 5 min after a dialysis session (sample II), and before the next dialysis session (sample III). HCV RNA was tested by PCR in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Serum viral load was measured by branched-DNA assay. Results. Serum HCV RNA was positive in samples I, II and III of the 10 patients. PBMC HCV RNA was detected in samples I, II and III of seven patients. Mean viral load was 1.43 ± 0.99 Meq genome mL in sample I, 0.86 ± 0.40 Meq genome mL in sample II and 1.27 ± 0.56 Meq genome mL in sample III. Conclusions. HCV load was low in most HCV RNA-positive patients. It had a downward trend during dialysis procedure but HCV RNA remained detectable in all serum samples and in most PBMC samples. Therefore, qualitative HCV RNA seems to be better than viral load to assess HCV infection in hemodialysis patients.