title: [Hepatitis G virus or hepatitis GB virus C].
abstract: In 1995 two novel human virae were identified independently, GB virus C and hepatitis G virus, as possible etiological agents for non-A-E viral hepatitis. GBV-C and HGV are two isolates of the same virus. GBV-C/HGV is an RNA virus of app. 9 kb belonging to the Flaviviridae family. GBV-C/HGV is transmitted intravenously, sexually and vertically from mother to child. GBV-C/HGV can be detected in blood by RT-PCR and serological tests based on the envelope 2 protein. Infection by GBV-C/HGV is frequent and 1-10% of blood donors in Western countries have been found positive by PCR. Acute GBV-C/HGV infections are in some cases associated with mild hepatitis. About 10-20% of the infections become chronically persistent but are not associated with chronic hepatitis or other known disease. GBV-C/HGV is not found in hepatocytes and is not infectious in the chimpanzee model, therefore GBV-C/HGV is not a classical hepatitis virus. Detection of GBV-C/HGV by PCR may be indicated in the diagnosis of acute hepatitis.
authors.affiliation: Virologisk afdeling, Statens Serum Institut, København.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heinsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fomsgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Hepatitis G-virus eller GB virus-C.