Evaluation of RNA and E2 antibodies in prospectively followed recipients of hepatitis G virus-infected blood.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis G virus (HGV) has recently been cloned and tests for HGV RNA and envelope antibodies (anti-E2) have been developed. HGV infection is widespread among blood donors worldwide, but the clinical and serologic outcome of transfusion-associated HGV infection has not been fully characterized.


METHODS
Consecutive blood donors (n = 2210) were investigated for HGV markers (RNA and anti-E2). The recipients of HGV RNA-positive blood were followed for 1 year after transfusion.


RESULTS
Forty-two blood donors (1.9%) were positive for HGV RNA. Eight recipients of HGV RNA-positive blood were retrospectively identified within 2 weeks of transfusion and prospectively followed. In four patients, the presence of anti-E2 before transfusion or an early antibody response protected them from reinfection or prevented HGV persistence, while, in the remaining four patients, transient or persistent viremia was detected shortly after exposure. None of the infected recipients had any evidence of liver disease.


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not support the screening of donors to prevent transfusion-associated HGV infection.
Sauleda
S
S
Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. sauleda@hg.vhebron.es
Esteban
J I
JI
Hernandez
J M
JM
Reesink
H
H
Castella
D
D
Quer
J
J
Hess
G
G
Esteban
R
R
Guardia
J
J
D001782:Blood Donors; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C107619:glycoprotein E2, GB virus C