Intraspousal transmission of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus in an hepatitis C virus hyperendemic area in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
An immunoassay for antibodies against an hepatitis G virus (HGV) protein (anti-E2) was recently developed that might serve as a useful marker for diagnosing recovery from HGV infection.


METHODS
We investigated the intraspousal transmission of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) using both reverse transcription hemipolymerase chain reaction (RT-hemi-PCR for the 5' untranslated region) and a recently developed anti-E2.


RESULTS
Thirty-two GBV-C/HGV-infected index subjects were selected from an hepatitis C virus hyperendemic area in Japan. Of the 32 subjects, seven (6.4%) were GBV-C/HGV RNA-positive, 24 (21.8%) were anti-E2-positive, and one (0.9%) was both GBV-C/HGV RNA- and anti-E2-positive. Among the 32 spouses of these subjects, GBV-C/HGV RNA, anti-E2, and both GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-E2 positivity were detected in 0, 6, (18.8%), and one (3.1%) spouses, respectively (the total prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 7 spouses [21.9%]). Thus, the intraspousal transmission of GBV-C/HGV was undeniable in these seven couples. The respective positive rates of 175 sex- and age-matched controls were 7 (4.0%), 26 (14.9%), and 0 (the total prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 34 [19.4%]). No significant difference in positive rates was observed between the subjects/spouses and the controls. Five spouses among the seven couples who were positive for any of GBV-C/HGV markers had parenteral risk factors such as blood transfusion, acupuncture, and major surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these observations, we cannot draw a definitive conclusion that intraspousal transmission of GBV-C/HGV had occurred among these seven couples.
Akiyoshi
F
F
Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
Sata
M
M
Noguchi
S
S
Suzuki
H
H
Ide
T
T
Uchimura
Y
Y
Sasaki
M
M
Tanaka
K
K
Miyajima
I
I
Mizokami
M
M
Tanikawa
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018454:Spouses; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins