What do we need to know about non-A-to-E viral hepatitis?
The list of potential hepatotrophic viruses continues to grow, with the recent discovery of the GB virus-C, the TT virus, and the SEN virus. Prevalence rates of the GB virus-C have ranged from 1.2% to 13% among healthy blood donors from all over the world. Higher prevalence rates have been reported among intravenous drug users. Similarly, the TT virus has a global distribution. However, in spite of numerous reports of the presence of both of these viruses in various kinds of liver diseases, definite evidence linking it to a specific disease or illness is lacking. The SEN virus is thought to be a novel viral agent that may be linked to cryptogenic chronic hepatitis, but data are awaited.
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Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
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D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence