Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Chapter I

Epidemiology

Chapter II

Risk Factors for HCV Acquisition in Haemodialysis Patients

Demographic Factors

Dialysis Vintage and Duration of Dialysis

Dialysis Unit HCV Prevalence

History of Blood Transfusion, Renal Transplantation, or Recent Surgical Intervention

Dialysis Unit Staffing and Staff Experience

Dialysis Modality

Transmission within the Haemodialysis Unit

Chapter III

Prevention of HCV Transmission in Haemodialysis Units

Chapter IV

Diagnosis, Screening

and Evaluation

Liver Enzymes

Anti-HCV Antibody Assays & Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques

Screening Strategies

Liver Biopsy

Chapter V

Hepatic Pathology and Complications

Chapter VI

Treatment and Monitoring

Pharmacokinetic Profile of Therapeutic Agents in the Dialysis Population

Alpha Interferon-2b (IFN)

Pegylated Alpha Interferon (Peg-IFN)

Ribavirin

Selection and Evaluation

of Treatment Candidates

Treatment Regimens

Demographic and Pre-treatment Characteristics

Efficacy

Predictors of Sustained Virological Response

Adverse Reactions and Treatment Discontinuation

Recommended Treatment Regimen

Monitoring

Chapter VII

Outcomes

Chapter VIII

Conclusion

References

Index

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