Assessment of liver disease and biochemical and immunological markers in Swedish blood donors with isolated GB virus C/hepatitis G virus viremia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate signs of liver disease, and biochemical and immunological markers in blood donors with isolated GBV-C/HGV viremia.


METHODS
Eighteen donors with isolated GBV-C/HGV viremia were followed up 3-5 years after initial identification. Testing for GBV-C/HGV RNA, GBV-C/HGV-E2 antibodies and a range of biochemical and immunological tests was performed. Thirteen donors consented to liver biopsy.


RESULTS
Twelve donors remained GBV-C/HGV viremic at follow-up. Five donors had developed E2 antibodies. Liver biopsies revealed mild portal inflammatory lesions in 6/11 individuals with persistent viremia, and steatosis in 10/13 biopsied donors.


CONCLUSIONS
Steatosis and mild portal inflammatory lesions were found in liver biopsies from several blood donors with isolated GBV-C/HGV viremia.
Björkman
P
P
Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
Sundström
G
G
Veress
B
B
Widell
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001706:Biopsy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013548:Sweden; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase