Detection and clinical evaluation of GBV-C/HGV in plasma from patients with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology.
OBJECTIVE
The role of GBV-C/HGV virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology has been studied. Two groups of patients have been included: a) 50 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis (mean age 47 yrs; M/F = 35/15), negative for markers of hepatitis viruses (HBV-HCV). These patients did not show evidence of metabolic, autoimmune, alcoholic or toxic liver disease; b) 50 healthy blood donors (mean age 35 yrs; M/F = 35/15). All the subjects were HIV-seronegative.


METHODS
The detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA was performed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques and capillary zone electrophoresis analysis (CZE).


RESULTS
There was no difference between the two groups of patients (14% vs 6%; p = 0.18 NS).


CONCLUSIONS
The etiopathogenetic role of GBV-C/HGV in chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology is yet to be shown.
Grassi
M
M
Department of Medical Therapy, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Raffa
S
S
Traditi
F
F
Ferrazzi
M
M
Cioschi
S
S
Fontana
M
M
Pezzella
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012367:RNA, Viral