Assessment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated with hemodialysis patients in Thi-Qar province, Iraq

Hepatitis is liver inflammation that can lead to many fatal health problems. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus. Hemodialysis patients are at greater risk of acquiring HCV infection and this is a major global health problem. The study included 120 samples from patients who underwent dialysis at the age range of 20 to 87 years; males were 58.3% while 41.7% were females. The study confirmed that the percentage of HCV infection among Hemodialysis patients was 30%, the high rate was in age groups 50-59 years (33.3 %), in males is high than females. There was an association between blood transfusion and HCV infection (P value=0.037). Also, the high percentage was in patients who remained more than 36 months 50.0% and twice sessions per week at 61.1%. Six isolates were recorded in the global GenBank with accession numbers: MW947494- MW947499. History of blood transfusions and a long period of Hemodialysis treatment were major risk factors for anti-HCV positive. HCV RNA testing should be conducted on all patients prior to Hemodialysis and blood before transfusion using PCR.