Identification of GBV-C hepatitis G RNA in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C were examined for the presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA by RT-PCR. The amplified products, derived from the 5' non-coding, NS3, and NS5a regions, were detected in 19 (19%) of the 100 HCV RNA-positive samples. Analysis of GBV-C/HGV prevalence rates revealed that dual infections are related to shared parenteral risk factors. Intravenous drug abuse and multiple transfusions were the factors clearly associated with a simultaneous HCV and GBV-C/HGV infection. Apart from this, patients with dual infections had a statistically significant lower mean age compared to those patients infected solely by HCV. Determination of HCV genotypes involved in GBV-C/HGV coinfection by RFLP analysis showed no correlation between the presence of GBV-C/HGV and a distinct HCV genotype. The study demonstrates that, based on the assessment of risk criteria, GBV-C/HGV is transmitted efficiently parenterally and is frequently linked to hepatitis C coinfection, regardless of HCV genotype.
Department of Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University of Tübingen, Germany.
S
S
Schleicher
R L
RL
Chaves
T
T
Dehmer
M
M
Gregor
G
G
Hess
B
B
Flehmig
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D012367:RNA, Viral; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins