Hepatitis G viral RNA in serum and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and its relation to HCV-RNA in patients with clotting disorders.
The hepatitis G virus (HGV) has recently been identified as a new member of the Flaviviridae family. Infection by this virus is thought to be associated with blood borne hepatitis. In this study, the presence of HCV- and HGV-RNAs in serum or plasma (175 patients) and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (133 patients) was investigated in patients with clotting disorders using a sensitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HGV-RNA was detected in serum of 26 patients (14.8%). In apparently healthy blood donors, serum HGV-RNA was detected in 4 of 358 individuals investigated (1.12%). Ninety two percent of the 26 serum HGV-RNA positive patients had coinfection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), especially with HCV genotype 1b, the most common genotype in Belgium. Of these coinfected patients, 15 (62.5%) showed elevated serum ALT levels. Two patients who were solely infected with HGV had normal serum ALT.HGV-RNA in PBMC was found in 18 patients, of whom 3 were negative for serum HGV-RNA. As in case of HCV, HGV-RNA in PBMC is preferentially sensitive to interferon treatment. Nevertheless, rapid reappearance of HGV-RNA in PBMC was observed after cessation of treatment. In one patient, persistent serum ALT elevation seems to be associated with continued HGV viremia, despite the disappearance of serum HCV-RNA.
Sheng
L
L
Department of Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Soumillion
A
A
Peerlinck
K
K
Verslype
C
C
Lin
L
L
van Pelt
J
J
Hess
G
G
Vermylen
J
J
Yap
S H
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004279:DNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase