[Liver histology in chronic hemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis C virus]

Medicina (B Aires). 1997;57(5):541-5.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Liver biopsies were analyzed in 21 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who tested positive for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), using Elisa II and/ or PCR. The study included 14 men and 7 women, the average age being 41 years old (range: 20-65). The average span of time under dialysis was 64 months (range: 12-192). Hbs ag. was positive in six patients. Patients underwent biopsy for showing persistent rise of transaminase for more than 6 months. The modified Knodell Index was used to grade hepatic lesions. All biopsies showed chronic hepatitis, of which 2 were associated with cirrhosis. Eight patients were infected with mild chronic hepatitis, ten were infected with moderate chronic hepatitis, and only three patients had a severe lesion. Fibrosis was mild in 13 cases, moderate in 6, and 2 had cirrhosis. Chronic Hepatitis C characteristic lesions analysis showed lymphoid nodules in 6 cases (29%), ductal epithelium lesions in 7 (33%), and steatosis in 7 (33%). Chronic HCV infection in our patients seems to have histologic characteristics similar to those reported in HCV positive non CRF patients.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / pathology
  • Hepatitis C / etiology
  • Hepatitis C / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Retrospective Studies