PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS G VIRUS INFECTION AMONG YEMENI HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Nagi ALHaj; Fadhl Al-Shaebi; Aamena Al-Quradhi; Hassan Al-Shamahy; Khaled Al-Moyed; Asma‘a Al-Areeqi

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS G VIRUS INFECTION AMONG YEMENI HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Nagi Alhaj, Fadhl Al Shaebi, Aamena Al Quradhi, Hassan Al Shamahy, Khaled Al Moyed, Asma 8216 A Al Areeqi

Abstract :

Background and Objective:Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a recently described member of Flaviviridaeviruses. Increasing the risk of blood–borne infections in hemodialysis patients is a main health care concern in different countries. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of HGV among Yemeni hemodialysis patients.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted in hemodialysis patients who were selected randomly from haemodialysis units of different general hospitals at Sana’a city, from October 2013 to October 2014. Blood samples were collected and tested for human HGV IgG antibodies in patient’s sera by commercially ELISA technique.Results: Of the 360 hemodialysis patients, anti–HGV antibodies was determine in 24(6.7%), female with highest rate 14(7.4%) and male 10(5.8%).Furthermore, duration of dialysis ≤1 year 3.6 % to 2 years 12.8 %, was positively significant between HGV positive and HGV negative patients (P < 0.001), and sexual contact with HGV (P < 0.006). Conclusions. Hepatitis G Virus was prevalent among hemodialysis patients in Sana’a Yemen, sexual transmission and duration of dialysis are very important to increase the risk of HGV transmission. Further epidemiologic monitoring of HGV may be helpful to control future potential variations of the virus.