GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus infection in prostitutes: possible role of sexual transmission.
The modes of transmission of GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) other than by blood transfusion are largely unknown. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV viremia and the associated risk factors in 145 female prostitutes were examined. The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), and GBV-C/HGV RNA were 14%, 18%, and 11%, respectively. The demographic characteristics were similar between subjects with and without HBsAg. In contrast, those with HCV or GBV-C/HGV infection had practised longer as prostitutes and received blood transfusion more frequently. Moreover, the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-HCV tended to increase in parallel with the duration of prostitution. These results suggest that like HCV, sexual transmission of GBV-C/HGV occurs and the risk increased with prolonged duration of exposure. The transmission efficiency between GBV-C/HGV and HCV appears to be similar.
Kao
J H
JH
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei.
Chen
W
W
Chen
P J
PJ
Lai
M Y
MY
Lin
R Y
RY
Chen
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral