GB virus C/hepatitis G virus and intravenous immunoglobulins.
OBJECTIVE
Different intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) were found to be GB virus C/hepatitis G virus polymerase chain reaction (GBV-C/HGV-PCR)-positive. The potential transmission of this virus to recipients by a PCR-positive IVIG batch was investigated.


METHODS
Polyclonal IVIGs of different manufacturers and with different virus inactivation procedures were analyzed by GBV-C/HGV-PCR and anti-E2-ELISA. Follow-up sera of 13 participants of a clinical trial performed with a GBV-C/HGV-PCR-positive batch were retrospectively investigated for GBV-C/HGV seroconversion (specific antibodies, viral RNA).


RESULTS
Four out of ten IVIGs analysed by GBV-C/HGV-PCR were - at least for some batches - virus genome-positive. Virus inactivation by solvent/detergent treatment resulted in GBV-C/HGV-PCR-negative products. GBV-C/HGV-specific antibodies were detectable in all IVIGs analyzed. There was no transmission of GBV-C/HGV observed when recipients of a large amount of a GBV-C/HGV-PCR-positive batch were analyzed by an antibody test and specific PCR.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite PCR positivity of an IVIG preparation no transmission of GBV-C/HGV to recipients was observed. Possible explanations are a sufficient virus inactivation procedure and/or presence of specific antibodies in the final products.
Nübling
C
C
Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany. Neubling@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Gröner
A
A
Löwer
J
J
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D012367:RNA, Viral