Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To observe the prevalence of virus hepatitis infection in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to investigate the methods to prevent and control virus hepatitis infection in dialysis unit. Methods A total of 6 assays for the detection of antibodies for HCV and antibodies and antigens for hepatitis B were performed by chemiluminescence immunoassay method in 125 MHD patients on regular hemodialysis for more than one year (2009-2011). Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Results The incidence of HBV hepatitis and HCV hepatitis in MHD patients were 23.2% and 5.6%, respectively, without significant correlation of the incidences with age or gender (P＞0.05). For HBV infection, there was no difference in blood transfusion times between positive infection group and negative infection group (P＞0.05), but there was significant difference in hemodialysis age between positive infection group and negative infection group (60.1±25.7 months in the former group, and 43.0±25.3 months in the latter group, P＜0.01). For HCV infection, positive infection group and negative infection group showed significant differences in blood transfusion times (85.7% in the former group, and 15.7% in the latter group, P＜0.05) and hemodialysis age (65.9±35.9 months in the former group and 43.0±25.3 months in the latter group, P＜0.05). Conclusion MHD patients are at high risk to infection of hepatitis viruses. The incidence of HBV infection increases in MHD patients with longer hemodialysis age, but seems to be unrelated to blood transfusion times. The chance of HCV infection increases in patients with multiple blood transfusion and longer hemodialysis age. Strict isolation procedures must be carried out to prevent HBV and HCV cross-infection in dialysis unit.

Key words: Hemodialysis, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Cross-infection