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INTRODUCTION: HCV infection in patients under hemodialysis for end stage chronic kidney disease (ESCKD) may exist despite the absence of anti-HCV antibodies. Molecular methods are widely accepted as “gold standard” techniques for the detection of viral RNA. However, the molecular methods are more expensive in comparison to conventional methods and their replacement is not cost-effective. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV RNA positivity in anti-HCV negative hemodialysis patients and evaluate new diagnostic methods for the detection and the monitoring of hepatitis C in ESCKD patients. METHODS: The study was performed in four hospitals of Thrace region of Greece and 233 patients with no history of hepatitis C were enrolled. Measurement of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV core antigen was performed by microparticle chemiluminescence immunoassay. Molecular detection of viral RNA was performed by the real-time RT PCR. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64.9 ± 23.3 years. HCV-Ag was positive in 2/233 patients (0.86%). Nevertheless, viral RNA was negative in those patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that the incidence of HCV-RNA in patients with negative anti-HCV Abs, in hemodialysis patients in Thrace region of Greece was negligible (0/233).

The aim of this study was to estimate the immunogenic effect of mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. This study included 510 participants who received mRNA vaccine. The measurement of anti-COVID-19 antibodies was performed using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG quantitative assay (Abbott). Overall, mean titer of anti-Spike antibodies was 19,319.2 ± 1787.5 AU/mL. Vaccination induced a robust immunogenic response in those previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared with non-infected subjects. Additionally, individuals that were asymptomatic after vaccination produced lower levels of antibodies compared to feverish individuals. In conclusion, remarkably high levels of anti-Spike COVID-19 antibodies were observed after vaccination.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical performance of different automated immunoassays available in Europe to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies; an ELISA assay and a CLIA. The second goal was to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in Evros area during the first pandemic wave of COVID-19. Methods: The study included serum samples from 101 patients with confirmed COVID-19 by RT-PCR and 208 negative patients. Furthermore, it included 1036 healthcare workers (HWs) of the Evros Region, Northern Greece. The measurement of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was performed using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG and anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA IgG assay (Epitope Diagnostics, USA). Results: Of 101 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 82 were hospitalized and 19 were outpatients. Hospitalized patients had higher IgG levels in comparison to outpatients (6.46±2.2 vs. 3.52±1.52, p