HBV DNA screening in sera of maintenance hemodialysis patients
Huang, C.C.; Pao, C.C.; Yang, W.L.; Leu, M.L.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 86(10): 1121-1124
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0371-7682 PMID: 3437262 Document Number: 293429
We have studied the prevalence of HBV DNA in the sera of 243 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Among these patients, 36 were found to have HBV DNA in their sera (5-154 pg/100 .mu.l). The prevalence rate was 14.8%. Twenty-two of these 36 patients had no HBsAg in their sera and 3 of 22 had no hepatitis G markers at all. Ten of these 36 patients had elevated aminotransferases activities. Three of them were mildly symptomatic with a complaint of anorexia. Two patients underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy. One showed lobular hepatitis and the other showed hemosiderosis. As the hepatitis B vaccine has elicited a relatively poor antibody response in maintenance hemodialysis patients, clinical identification and isolation of chronic B hepatitis patients and carriers still appear to be most important way to prevent an outbreak of hepatitis B infection in a dialysis unit. From the results of this preliminary study, we recommend a routine screening of HBV DNA as well as that of HBsAg in hemodialysis patients. We probably should isolate those patients who are positive for either test.