Hepatitis C virus and end stage renal disease

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease in the world. It is particularly common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), both due to risk for chronic kidney disease related to HCV infection and risk for HCV infection acquisition in the hemodialysis population. In the United States, nosocomial risk of HCV has diminished, but this continues to be a major challenge in the developing world. Current available HCV therapies are more complex and less efficacious in the setting of ESRD. In the setting of donor organ shortage, transplant specialists must weigh the risks and benefits of using donor kidneys from patients positive for HCVantibody. The goal of this review is to update the reader on significant findings in HCV and ESRD. The major topics covered include updates in epidemiology, natural history, HCV treatment, and transplantation. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.