الفهرس 
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Abstract
HCV is a major health problem, it is the main cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis and is also seen in intravenous drug abuse, organ transplant and hemodialysis patients and health care workers. In addition to hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC, several extra-hepatic manifestations have been reported in the natural history of HCV infection. According to different studies, 40-74% of patients infected with HCV might develop at least one EHM during the course of the disease.
A significant proportion of these extrahepatic manifestations disorders involve the skin. Various cutaneous eruptions have been described in the setting of HCV infection. Urticaria is a common disorder that affects up to 20% of the population at some points during their lifetime. Aggravating factors include drugs, foods, additives, connective tissue disorders and infections. It is well established that HBV causes urticaria. Whether Hepatitis C infection causes urticaria or not is still debated with reports both in favor of and against this.
The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of urticaria in chronic renal dialysis Egyptian patients with HCV infection.
This study was performed on 100 CKD patients on regular renal HD and they were divided into two groups: Group I: consists of 50 patients with CKD and positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Group II: consists of 50 patients with CKD and negative for anti-HCV antibodies. Besides the third group consists of 50 healthy individuals with negative anti-HCV antibody and served as control group. Full patient assessment was done for all groups including thorough history taking, physical examinations, skin prick test and some hematological examinations.
We found that:-
•Seventy sex percent of CKD patients acquire HCV infection before the onset of dialysis.
•The prevalence of skin lesions was approximately similar in CKD patients with HCV positive antibodies or HCV negative antibodies.
•The majority of CKD patients with positive HCV suffered from pruritis only.
•The frequency of urticaria among CKD patients with negative HCV was higher than those with positive HCV.
•Positive SPT test was significantly higher in CKD patients with negative HCV group than those in the CKD with positive HCV groups and control group.