Objective: In the United States hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) affects approximately 20 percent of hemodialysis patients but its prevalence in Puerto Rico has not been established. We have sought to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in a homogeneous sample of patients on hemodialysis in the western region of Puerto Rico and to identify its risks factors.
Methods: All patients in the hemodialysis units of Aguadilla, Mayagüez and San Germán, during December 1997 to March 1998, completed a written questionnaire in which they were asked about transfusions, multiple sexual partners, i.v. drugs use, tattooing, occupation, imprisonment, organ transplantation and years on hemodialysis. Serum samples were analysed for HCV antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Sera with positive results for HCV were subjected to a confirmatory test by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: Thirteen of the 376 (3%) subjects had a positive ELISA (one patient died prior the confirmatory test with PCR). Six out of the twelve patients had a positive PCR. Two had been transfused. Three were illicit i.v. drug users and one had received a renal transplant. The liver biopsies in all patients showed chronic hepatitis and in two there was cirrhosis.
Conclusions: Our prevalence was two percent. As reported elsewhere blood transfusion, organ transplantation and illicit i.v. drug abuse were the major risk factors for HCV infection in our patients. Nosocomial factors were irrelevant in the results.