Hepatitis C in dialysis patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem in hemodialysis patients. Identified risk factors include duration on dialysis and blood transfusion. A more important risk factor contributing to the high prevalence of anti-HCV, particularly in the developing countries, could be the non-adherence to the known universal infection control precautions. The factors that might help reduce and/or prevent the spread of HCV infection among patients on dialysis include: early screening of patients for anti-HCV, reduction of the number of blood transfusions given, strict application of universal infection control precautions and isolation of patients or machines which ever feasible. The issue regarding isolation of anti-HCV positive patients is controversial and although it is not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to isolate these patients, it may be advisable to do so, particularly in the developing countries, wherein a high prevalence of anti-HCV exists among the dialysis population.