title: High prevalence of GBV-C hepatitis G virus infection in a rural South African population.
abstract: A novel virus, GBV-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), has been cloned and characterised recently. GBV-C/HGV global epidemiology and risk factors for acquisition are currently unclear. We aimed to establish the determinants of this infection in a rural South African (SA) population. The study population included two samples, namely a community-based sample, and consenting persons from a nonspecialist outpatient department in the same district. A questionnaire regarding demographic details and putative risk factors was administered; blood samples were taken on which a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for both 5'NCR and NS5a regions of GBV-C/HGV using commercially available primers and probes. Two hundred and forty-nine people were studied with a mean GBV-C/HGV prevalence of 10.4%. Outpatient department and community prevalences differed significantly (18.0% and 6.3%, respectively, P = 0.004). GBV-C/HGV infection was associated with excessive alcohol consumption (P = 0.02; OR, 4.18) and a lack of waterborne sewerage (P = 0.04). PCR amplification of the NS5a region of all but two South African GBV-C/HGV positive samples showed poor reactivity. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV in rural SA appears to be higher than that reported from Europe and North America. Infection appeared to be associated with excess alcohol intake and a history of previous blood transfusion. The discrepant NS5a and 5'NCR PCR sensitivity in this study raises the possibility of genetic differences in southern African GBV-C/HGV.
authors.affiliation: MRC/UCT Liver Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Univeristy of Cape Town, South Africa. tim@medmicro.uct.ac.za
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Louw
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kirsch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology