Analysis of hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA, antibody to HGV envelope protein, and risk factors for blood donors coinfected with HGV and hepatitis C virus.
Serologic, biochemical, and molecular analyses were used to study hepatitis G virus (HGV), antibody to the HGV envelope protein (anti-E2), risk factors, clinical significance, and the impact of HGV on coexistent hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among 329 donors with confirmed HCV infection, 12% were HGV RNA-positive and 44% were anti-E2-positive (total exposure, 56%). HGV RNA and anti-E2 were mutually exclusive except in 9 donors (1.5%); 8 of 9 subsequently lost HGV RNA but anti-E2 persisted. HGV had little impact on alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in donors with HGV infection alone or those coinfected with HCV. A multivariate analysis showed that intravenous drug abuse was the leading risk factor for HGV transmission, followed by blood transfusion, snorting cocaine, imprisonment, and a history of sexually transmitted diseases. In summary, HGV and HCV infections were frequently associated and shared common parenteral risk factors; HGV did not appear to cause hepatitis or to worsen the course of coexistent hepatitis C.
Tan
D
D
National Institutes of Health, Laboratory for Plasma Derivatives, Division of Hematology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Resaerch, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Matsumoto
A
A
Conry-Cantilena
C
C
Melpolder
J C
JC
Shih
J W
JW
Leuther
M
M
Hess
G
G
Gibble
J W
JW
Ness
P M
PM
Alter
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D004076:Digoxigenin; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C107619:glycoprotein E2, GB virus C; D004076:Digoxigenin