Frequencies of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus genomes and of specific antibodies in German risk and non-risk populations.
The prevalence of the new flavivirus GB virus C/hepatitis virus G (GBV-C/HGV) in different German populations was investigated by detection of viral genomes and anti-E2 antibodies. While blood donors had an overall prevalence of 10.4% there were increased rates for hemophiliacs (54.7%), hemodialysis patients (30.2%), male homosexuals (30.2%) and intravenous drug users (74.4). Most GBV-C/HGV positive samples were either viral genome positive or antibody positive, exclusively. Samples with the rare constellation "positive for both GBV-C/HGV genome and specific antibody" originated in almost all cases from patients who were additionally infected with HIV or HCV. Probable transmission of GBV-C/HGV by PCR-positive blood transfusions was observed in 5 of 6 cases approximately six months after transfusion.
Nübling
C M
CM
Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany. Nuebling@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Bialleck
H
H
Fürsch
A J
AJ
Scharrer
I
I
Schramm
W
W
Seifried
E
E
Schmidt
U
U
Staszewski
S
S
Löwer
J
J
D001782:Blood Donors; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000821:virology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C107619:glycoprotein E2, GB virus C