Serotypes of hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients

Hepatitis C virus infection is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients. This RNA virus has a high variability. All known variants have been classified into six major genotypes and several sybtypes. The aim of this study was to try to identify the possible source of infection by the distribution pattern of HCV serotypes (antibodies against specific epitopes, Murex HCV Serotyping 1-6 assay). Among hemodialyzed patients of two Hemodialysis Units. (Unit A: 11 patients and Unit B: 23 patients) and 11 blood donors. Results: Hepatitis C virus serotype 1 was dominant (14 hemodialyzed patients and 2 blood donors). (Tables I y II). Serotype 2 was significantly more frequent (chi(2) p < 0,05) in Dialysis Unit A (6/11) vs B (1/23). No association was found between HCV serotypes and demographic features of patient (Table III). Conclusion: The significantly higher prevalence of serotype 2 in one Dialysis Unit may imply that nosocomial infection was the main cause of HCV transmission in those patients and it emphasizes the utility of HCV serotyping in epidemiological studies.