Liver enzymes and protein electrophoretic patterns in hemodialysis patients with antibodies against the hepatitis C virus.

One hundred and forty nine patients with end-stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis were screened for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 84.6%. All patients were examined for liver functions and serum protein electrophoretic patterns. A total of 23 patients (15.4%) were negative for both anti-HCV and HBsAg (Group I), 126 (84.6%) were positive only for anti-HCV (Group II), and 12 (8.1%) patients were positive for both anti-HCV and HBsAg (Group III). No significant correlation was noted between the elevation of liver enzymes and the groups studied. A significant increase in total proteins and gamma globulin levels were observed in Groups II and III in comparison with Group I (P < 0.05). Serum albumin levels were significantly decreased and alpha-1 and beta globulin levels were significantly increased in group III patients as compared to Groups I and II (P < 0.05). The finding of a significant increase in gamma globulin levels in Groups II and III as compared to Group I requires immunoglobulin typing, an observation being currently investigated.