Natural history of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus infection through the follow-up of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus-infected blood donors and recipients studied by RNA polymerase chain reaction and anti-E2 serology.
The aims of this study were to determine the outcome and the natural history of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection and to establish the frequency of acute or persistent infections in multiply-transfused individuals and blood donors. We used a GBV-C/HGV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and an assay evidencing antibodies to the envelop protein E2, which is considered a marker for virus clearance. Among 16 PCR-positive recipients, 11 were still positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA at the end of the study period; six of the 16 recipients were GBV-C/HGV infected during the study period and thus had a well-defined date of infection. The 16 patients were shown to carry GBV-C/HGV RNA over a mean period of 4.4 years, for a mean observational period (defined as the follow-up period since the first sample positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA) of 5.3 years. Within the limits of the study period, the patients with a well-defined date of infection were positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA during a mean period of 4.7 years. If defined by the presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA for at least 6 months, the persistent infection rate was 100% in this recipient cohort. Serum anti-E2 antibody was evidenced at least once in five (31.2%) recipients and, except in one case, became detectable after the loss of GBV-C/HGV RNA. Among the 11 blood donors, all were still positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA after a mean follow-up period of 7.7 months. The persistent infection rate was 100% in this donor cohort. Once acquired, the infection to GBV-C/HGV generally tends to persist in immunocompetent patients.
Lefrère
J J
JJ
Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France.
Loiseau
P
P
Maury
J
J
Lasserre
J
J
Mariotti
M
M
Ravera
N
N
Lerable
J
J
Lefèvre
G
G
Morand-Joubert
L
L
Girot
R
R
D017502:Adenovirus E2 Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001782:Blood Donors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012699:Serology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D017502:Adenovirus E2 Proteins; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral