HCV Reinfection in HD Patients Achieving SVR

Among the hemodialysis units, the global incidence of HCV infection ranges from 1.2% to 2.9%. Data regarding the long-term risk of reinfection among hemodialysis patients achieving SVR are limited. To our best knowledge, only one study assessed the long-term negativity of serum HCV RNA in hemodialysis patients who achieved SVR after IFN-based therapies. With a median follow-up of 48 months following SVR, the life-time cumulative survival for HCV RNA negativity was 86% among the 121 participants who were on maintenance dialysis. Furthermore, the life-time cumulative survival for HCV RNA negativity was 95% among the 45 participants who underwent renal transplantation from HCV-negative donors. Because the literatures regarding the long-term follow-up of viral outcome, the patient numbers to be recruited are still limited, and all studies are focused on IFN-based treatment, we aim to assess the long-term risk of HCV reinfection in hemodialysis patients attaining SVR by IFN-based or IFN-free therapies.