Prevention of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus transmission in hemodialysis centers: review of current international recommendations.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in hemodialysis (HD) patients are associated with adverse outcomes, especially after kidney transplantation.

Review: In the HD setting, cross-contamination to patients via environmental surfaces, supplies, equipment, multiple-dose medication vials and staff members is mainly responsible for both HBV and HCV transmission. The incidence and prevalence of HBV in HD centers have dropped markedly as a result of isolation strategy for HBsAg positive patients, the implementation of infection control measures and the introduction of HBV vaccine.

Staff knowledge, adherence to infection control recommendations and seroconversion rates in hemodialysis centers in Khartoum.

Introduction: We evaluated hemodialysis (HD) staff knowledge, adherence to infection control recommendations and seroconversion rates for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 13 centers that continuously provided HD services in Khartoum State between June 2009 and November 2010.

Methods: The knowledge of 182 HD staff members was evaluated by a self-filled questionnaire. Relevant data were obtained from 1011 HD patients by direct interviews and record review.