Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C among hemodialysis patients in Tunisia.

Objective: Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of infection by hepatitis C and B viruses, which are significant causes of mortality and morbidity. Prevention of their transmission in hemodialysis units remains a challenge worldwide. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of these two infections and to explore major risk factors among patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Materials And Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 109 hemodialysis patients (mean duration of hemodialysis of seven years) between 2012 and 2014 in a Teaching Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia. Hepatitis B and C serological markers were searched for using a chemiluminescent assay. Genome detection was performed using a commercially available quantitative real-time PCR test.

Results: A total of 109 hemodialysis patients were enrolled (75 males and 34 females). Ages ranged from 21 to 81 years. Six (5.5%) of these 109 patients had HBV infection defined by a positive HBsAg in four (3.7%) patients and by a detectable DNA associated with an "isolated anti-HBc" profile in the remaining two patients. Hepatitis C was observed in eight patients (7.3%) and five of them had detectable RNA. Hemodialysis duration ˃5years was the main risk factor for hepatitis C infection (P=0.01; OR: 3.11; 95% CI [1.57-13.71]).

Conclusion: Our findings confirm the downward trend of the prevalence of both hepatitis B and C infections among Tunisian hemodialysis patients. Hemodialysis duration remains the main risk factor for hepatitis C infection. Occult hepatitis B infection should be suspected and investigated, especially among patients with an "isolated anti-HBc" profile.