No evidence of hepatitis G virus in fulminant hepatic failure in children.
BACKGROUND
The cause of fulminant hepatic failure in children remains unknown, but a viral origin has been suspected in most cases. The recently discovered blood-borne virus, hepatitis G, has been suggested as a possible causative agent.


METHODS
Six consecutive children who underwent liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure were studied. The children were tested for hepatitis G virus antibodies and hepatitis G virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction after excluding other causes of fulminant hepatic failure.


RESULTS
No evidence of hepatitis G virus infection was found in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis G virus is unlikely to be a common cause of fulminant hepatic failure in pediatric patients from the upper midwestern United States.
Perez
R G
RG
Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Zein
N N
NN
Freese
D K
DK
Perrault
J J
JJ
Steers
J L
JL
Sharp
H L
HL
Persing
D H
DH
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral