Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in haemodialysis population in a tertiary care centre in north eastern India

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in the haemodialysis (HD) population varies between 3.445% and 4.345.2% respectively which are substantially higher than the prevalence rates in the general population. We conducted a study to estimate the prevalence of HBV and HCV in HD population in a tertiary care centre in north east India. Methods: Prospective single centre observational study conducted in patients attending a HD unit between November 2012 and June 2015. All patients with Chronic Kidney Diseasewho underwent haemodialysis were included. Patients with Acute Kidney Injury were excluded. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV were tested using specific enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: 507 patients with a male to female ratio of 1.26:1 were included. Overall mean age was 45.7017.54 years. (Male= 43.9417.32years; Female=47.8117.51years).69.82% of the patients underwent once weekly dialysis. 2.17% were found to be positive for HBV while and 1.38% patients were found to be positive for HCV. HBV-HCV co-infection was seen in 0.20%. All HBV positive patients were males and had previous blood transfusions. Conclusion: HBV and HCV is seen to affect a significant number of the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients undergoing HD. Measures including safe transfusion practices, vaccination and equipment disinfection should be undertaken to reduce the burden of such infections in ESRD patients.