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Nephrol Dial Transplant (2003) 18: 348-352
© 2003 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association

Clinical significance of SEN virus infection in patients on maintenance haemodialysis

Nobuhiko Kobayashi1, Eiji Tanaka1,, Takeji Umemura1, Akihiro Matsumoto1, Toshiyo Iijima1, Makoto Higuchi1, Kazuhiko Hora2 and Kendo Kiyosawa1

1 Second Department of Internal Medicine and 2 Division of Artificial Kidney, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan

Background. The SEN virus (SENV) has been identified as a putative new hepatitis virus. This study was conducted to clarify the clinical significance of SENV infection in patients on haemodialysis.

Methods. A total of 189 patients on maintenance haemodialysis and 60 healthy controls were enrolled. Of the 189 patients, 154 were followed up for 2 years. SENV DNA (genotypes D and H) was measured by means of polymerase chain reaction.

Results. SENV infection was significantly (P=0.012) more prevalent in patients on haemodialysis (38%) than in controls (22%). SENV infection was not associated with the amount of transfusion or duration of haemodialysis, while hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was significantly associated with both of these factors. Elevation of alanine aminotransferase was significantly associated with HCV, but not with SENV viraemia. Of the 154 patients who were followed up, 63 (41%) remained negative, 34 (22%) gained positivity, 28 (18%) lost it and 29 (19%) remained positive for SENV infection. Episodes of alanine aminotransferase elevation were recorded for 3% of the patients who incurred SENV infection and this rate was similar to that observed in patients who were continuously negative for SENV infection (5%).

Conclusions. SENV infection was common in patients on haemodialysis. No evidence was obtained that suggested involvement of the hepatitis virus in the pathogenicity of SENV.

Keywords: haemodialysis; hepatitis; infection; SEN virus

Correspondence and offprint requests to: Eiji Tanaka, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan. Email: koba-nob{at}hsp.md.shinshu-u.ac.jp


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