Association of antibody to GB virus C (hepatitis G virus) with viral clearance and protection from reinfection.
GB virus C (GBV-C) RNA and envelope antibody were assessed in a median of 4 samples collected over 6.5 years among injection drug users (IDUs). A marker of GBV-C infection was detected in 110 (94.8%) of 116 IDUs. GBV-C RNA was detected at all visits in 32, was never detected in 70, was acquired in 7, and was cleared in 8. The odds of detecting anti-GBV-C were 103-fold higher in participants without detectable RNA (64 of 70) than in IDUs with persistent RNA (3 of 32; P < 10(-7)). Anti-GBV-C was detected in all 8 instances of RNA clearance. GBV-C RNA never reappeared once it was cleared, and there were no new GBV-C infections among 61 anti-GBV-C-positive IDUs observed for 382 person-years, though all had ongoing drug use. Studies using RNA testing alone may significantly underestimate the occurrence of GBV-C infection. Anti-GBV-C is highly associated with viral clearance and protection from reinfection.
Thomas
D L
DL
Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Vlahov
D
D
Alter
H J
HJ
Hunt
J C
JC
Marshall
R
R
Astemborski
J
J
Nelson
K E
KE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral