OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients by first- (Ortho) and second-generation (Abbott and UBI) HCV antibody enzyme immunoassays. DESIGN: Thirty-two serum samples tested by first-generation HCV antibody enzyme immunoassays (EIA's) were reevaluated using two second-generation HCV antibody EIA's. Basic demographic data, history of blood transfusions, and duration of hemodialysis and CAPD were reviewed. Results were analyzed by chi square analysis, Wilcoxon rank sum, and the paired t-test. SETTING: The medical college's affiliated teaching hospital. RESULTS: The prevalence of the antibody anti-HCV increases with the duration of previous hemodialysis, but not with the duration of CAPD. The positive detection of anti-HCV by second-generation HCV antibody EIA's was higher than first-generation EIA's (25% and 34.4% vs 12.5%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence and clinical relevance of HCV infection can be more accurately studied using the second-generation assays in uremic patients.

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