title: High prevalence of hepatitis G virus after liver transplantation without apparent influence on long-term graft function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis G virus is a recently characterized transfusion-transmissible RNA virus. Its pathogenicity remains to be established. We studied its prevalence in liver transplant patients and assessed the long-term influence on the liver graft.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine adult patients without hepatitis B or C were included; median follow-up was 8 years (range 1-17). Serum samples from before and late after transplantation were investigated for the presence of HGV-RNA. HGV-RNA was detected by cDNA-PCR, using primers from the NS3 region of the viral genome. The latest available yearly liver biopsy was assessed in a coded fashion according to established histological criteria. The outcome in the HGV-positive patients was compared with the outcome in the HGV-negative patients with respect to liver tests and liver histology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence before and after transplantation was 15.4 and 43.6%, respectively. Liver test results and liver histology did not differ between the HGV and non-HGV groups. In both groups more than 50% of the patients showed normal histology. Mild portal and/or lobular inflammation tended to be more prevalent in the non-HGV group (no statistical difference).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HGV infection is highly prevalent in liver transplant patients. In the absence of co-infection with hepatitis B or C virus, no long-term negative influence on the graft occurs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Haagsma
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Cuypers
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gouw
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sjerps
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Huizenga
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Slooff
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Jansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral