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Abstract HCV infection still remains a major health problem that can cause substantial liver related morbidity and mortality in patients with ESRD. The global prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection estimated to be around 1.6 - 3% worldwide, Egypt has the largest epidemic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world with 10 - 13% of the population infected with HCV. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among dialysis patients varies in different countries from (3%-75% worldwide), unfortunately Egypt also is considered one of the countries with the highest prevalence. This work is a part of project aiming to survey about HCV among HD patients, assessing its prevalence, seroconversion and study risk factors associated with HCV seroconversion among hemodialysis patients in Egypt. This project is modulated by the nephrology department, Ain Shams University. This study was conducted upon 2148 ESRD patients on regular HD sessions attending 36 different HD units in Elsharkia governorate sector B, districts included in this study El-Zakazek city, EL-Ebrahemya city, Hehya city, Abohmad city, Meneya EL- Kamh city, ELhesenaya city , Mashtool elsok city, Awladskr city, Kafrsakr city, Deyarbngm city, Abokeber city, Fakous city, and Belbes city. All patients were evaluated using a questionnaire form for assessment of risk factors claimed to be responsible for HCV seroconvergence among HD patients such as; age by years, gender, duration of hemodialysis, previous blood transfusion, previous surgery, isolation procedures in the centers, dialysis in other centers (switching dialysis centers), vascular access used, history of shistozomiasis, history of HBsAg, family history of HCV, cause of chronic kidney disease. Among a total number of 2148 patients attending 36 HD units, 1298 (60.43%) of them were males, with 850 (39.57%) females. The prevalence of HCV Ab by the time of data collection was (53%) with a rate of seroconversion of (16.1%). The present study revealed that there was significant correlation between HCV seroconversion in dialysis patients and age, sex, duration of HD, surgery, HCV family history, blood transfusion and vascular access. On the other hand, shistozomiasis infection, HBV infection, family history of HBV infection and infection control measures were not significant. |