Hepatitis C Virus Infection In Uraemic And Non-Uraemic Patients

More than 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is responsible for over one million deaths from cirrhosis and primary liver cancers. Beside chronic liver disease, relevant extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection include cryoglobulinemia, lymphoproliferative disorders, and renal diseases Hemodialysis patients are at particular high risk for blood-borne infections because of prolonged vascular access and potential for exposure to contaminated equipment. It has been estimated that, among patients on hemodialysis, the prevalence of HCV infection varies greatly, from less than 5% to nearly 60% according to different areas of the world.Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was originally identified in the serum of partially hepatictomized rats. It is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in embryonic development, repair, regeneration and protection of various organs from injuries. It exhibits mitogenic and antiapoptotic activities and enhances the motility of different cell types including hepatocytes, renal epithelial proximal cells and vascular endothelial cells. HGF plays an essential role in the development and regeneration of the liver and it is a potent mitogen for hepatocyte invivo as well as in vitro. It is the most potent hepatocyte proliferation simulator To study the difference in the severity of HCV infection between uremic and non-uremic patients and the effects of hemodialysis and hepatocyte growth factor on its progression.