Does end-stage kidney failure influence hepatitis C progression in hemodialysis patients?

Background/Aims: The influence of end-stage kidney failure on the progression of liver disease in patients infected with hepatitis C virus and treated with hemodialysis is still controversial Methodology: Liver histology of 154 hepatitis C virus. infected non-uremic patients was compared with liver histology of 13 hepatitis C virus infected uremic patients treated with hemodialysis. Results: In either group of altogether 167 patients, no normal liver histology was found. Each, patient had at least a low-grade lobular and/or portal infammation. However, statistically significant differences were observed between hepatitis C virtus infected uremic and non-uremic patients in the extent of intralobular changers, portal inflammation, and degree of fibrosis. Conclusions: Non-uremie hepatitis C virus infected patients appear to have more active and progressive liver disease than hepatitis C virus infected patients on hemodialysis. Regular follow-up of uremic patients, associated with earlier detection of hepatitis C virus infection, so as suggested uremia-associated impaired immunoreactivity and increased levels of hepatocyte growth factor described recently. might be implicated in a more favorable course of hepatitis C virus infection in uremic patients In addition, due to the absence of normal liver histology in either group of hepatitis C virus infected patients, we propose liver biopsy to be mandatory in all these patients provided that no contraindications exist clinically.