Similar HCV viral load levels and genotype distribution among end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis and HCV-infected patients with normal renal function.

BACKGROUND: At present it is not clearly established if hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA levels and genotype distribution have any peculiar aspect in HCV-infected end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate in HCV-infected ESRD patients, the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) profile, HCV-RNA levels and genotype distribution, comparing them with HCV-infected patients with normal renal function.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 66 hemodialysis patients (group 1) and 264 subjects with normal renal function (group 2). All participants in both groups had detectable HCV-RNA. Mean ALT levels were determined in all subjects as well the viral load and the genotype.

RESULTS: Groups were similar according to gender and age. ALT was normal in 74% patients in group 1 and in 23% in group 2 (p<0.001). The median viral load was 5.3 x 10(5) IU/mL in group 1 and 6.6 x 10(5) IU/mL in group 2 (p=0.23). Genotype 1b was the most prevalent in both groups (56% vs. 57%; p=0.38).

CONCLUSION: HCV-infected ESRD patients have lower ALT levels, but the viral load and the genotype distribution are similar to those observed in HCV-infected individuals with normal renal function.