Hepatitis G virus infection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected mothers and their children.
Hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA and anti-E2 glycoprotein antibody (E2Ab) seroprevalence was studied in 58 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected mothers (34 injecting drug users [IDUs] and 24 with risky sexual behavior [RSB]) and their children (median age, 5 days; range, 1-27). Twelve women (20.6%) were RNA- and 20 (34.4%) E2Ab-positive. Seroprevalence was similar in the IDU and RSB groups and high in RSB partners of IDU men. Five (41.6%) children of RNA-positive mothers were HGV-infected, at a median age of 5 days (range, 1-27), independent of maternal CD4 T lymphocyte numbers, mode of delivery, and HIV-1 transmission; no other child at risk became RNA-positive subsequently. No HGV-infected child (follow-up, 16 months; range, 12-52) showed increased liver enzyme levels; 3 children cleared RNA and E2Ab-seroconverted after 10-48 months. Thus, in HIV-1-infected women, HGV infection is common and also sexually transmitted, and clearance may be impaired. Mother-to-child transmission is frequent and occurs antenatally; children remain long infected without evident disease.
de Martino
M
M
Department of Medicine, University of Chieti, Italy.
Azzari
C
C
Resti
M
M
Moriondo
M
M
Rossi
M E
ME
Galli
L
L
Vierucci
A
A
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015497:HIV-1; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D003699:Hepatitis D; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C107619:glycoprotein E2, GB virus C