Haemodialysis-associated hepatitis

Summary Outbreaks of hepatitis have occurred in renal units all over Europe and the U.S.A. and have carried a high mortality. This is an iatrogenic disease, transmitted by blood from carriers of SH virus, uraemic patients often suffering subclinical attacks. The risks to the staff of these units are so high that they should not be asked to undertake this work if outbreaks cannot be controlled.