HCV on the Rise in Dialysis Patients, CDC Warns

— Urges providers to report all cases

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The number of reported newly acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among hemodialysis patients is growing, the CDC said.

In an announcement posted on its website late Wednesday, the CDC said it was contacted about 36 cases of acute HCV infections at 19 different clinics, and that in nine of those clinics, HCV transmission was found to occur between patients.

Although it isn't clear how exactly transmission between patients may be occurring, the agency said "lapses in infection control ... were commonly identified at these facilities."

The agency added that investigations into the cases, which came from eight different states, are still ongoing.

"Any case of new HCV infection in a patient undergoing hemodialysis should prompt immediate action," the announcement stated. It urged dialysis providers to:

  • Report all cases to the state or local health department
  • Screen patients for HCV
  • Assess adherence to infection control standards
  • Address any gaps found in the assessment

Previous research has shown that HCV infections are often left untreated in dialysis patients, even though they can significantly heighten mortality risk. And in 2008 the agency found that four outbreaks of HCV at dialysis centers happened because the centers disregarded CDC recommendations.

The CDC added that the increase in infections might be due to improved screening and awareness. "Regardless, this increase underscores the widespread potential for patients to acquire serious infections during dialysis care," they added.