Biodynamics of Hepatitis C Virus in Haemodialysis Patients in Pahang
- Author:
Mohammed Saad AM
;
Mohammed Imad AM
;
Aini HH
;
Seman MR
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
HCV Genotypes, Haemodialysis, Biodynamics
- From:
The International Medical Journal Malaysia
2012;11(1):23-30
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: HCV infection is frequent in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis, with prevalence
between 8 and 10%. Hepatitis C has an adverse effect on both patient and graft survival in those who get
renal transplants. There are relatively scarce reports on the natural fluctuation in viral load level in patients
on chronic haemodialysis. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal short-term three months study,
where 27 chronic haemodialysis patients infected with known HCV genotypes were recruited from seven
haemodialysis centres in Pahang. Serum samples were collected monthly, both pre- and post-haemodialysis
sessions, over a period of three months. Viral RNA was extracted from serum using QIAamp Viral RNA
Extraction kit (Qiagen). The HCV viral load was measured using one-step reverse transcriptase qPCR
(Applied Biosystems) targeting the 5`HCV non-coding region (5’UTR). The serum α-IFN level was measured using
commercial ELISA kit (Amersham, UK). Six biochemical liver function tests (AST, ALP, TP, albumin, ALT and TB)
were also done for all pre-haemodialysis samples. Results: All patients showed persistent low level viral load
that varied significantly over the study period (p = 0.001). HCV genotype 1 viral load was significantly higher
than that of genotype 3. Conclusion: No apparent correlation could be recognized between the viral loads
and the corresponding interferon-alpha levels which were detectable in only a few patients during the period
of study.
