Hepatitis C infection and chronic renal diseases

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and chronic renal diseases can be linked in two different ways. Some forms of renal disease are precipitated by HCV infection, while patients with end-stage renal disease are at increased risk for acquiring HCV infection. Patients with chronic HCV infection and renal disease have a poor prognosis. Most studies on treatment of HCV and renal diseases have been uncontrolled trials with small number of subjects. So, there is a lack of evidence-based recommendations and guidelines on the management of this condition. In this review, we will attempt to provide the most recent insights on HCV infection both as a extrahepatic manifestations and as a complication of end-stage renal patients.