Antibodies to E2 protein of hepatitis G virus in children: different responses according to age at infection.
OBJECTIVE
To study viral persistence and antibody responses after hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in children of various ages.


METHODS
We performed an enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to E2 protein (anti-E2) of HGV and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for HGV RNA on serum samples.


RESULTS
Of 28 infants born to HGV RNA-positive mothers, 17 were found to be positive for HGV RNA. None were positive for anti-E2. All 17 infected infants continued to have viremia except 1 who converted to HGV RNA-negative status at 24 months. Six infants had mild elevations of alanine aminotransferase levels (5 HGV-positive and 1 HGV-negative). An additional 14 HGV-infected children (aged 6 months to 14 years) with posttransfusion HGV infection were tested for anti-E2 3 months and 12 months after blood transfusion. None of the HGV RNA-positive serum samples were positive for anti-E2; however, 4 of the 8 children with resolving HGV infection were positive for anti-E2 1 year later.


CONCLUSIONS
Mother-to-infant transmission of HGV resulted in a high viral persistence rate and lack of immune responses to HGV. In contrast, anti-E2 appeared in children who recovered from posttransfusion HGV infection. Mode of transmission and age at infection may be important factors in determining persistent HGV infection and defective immune response to HGV.
Chen
H L
HL
Department of Pediatrics, Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Chang
M H
MH
Lin
H H
HH
Ni
Y H
YH
Hsu
H Y
HY
Wang
J T
JT
Chen
D S
DS
D017502:Adenovirus E2 Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
D017502:Adenovirus E2 Proteins; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase