title: Prevalence of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus viremia and anti-E2 in Canadian blood donors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a recently recognized parenterally and sexually transmitted agent. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV markers in Canadian blood donors has not been previously studied and was therefore determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood donors [identity unlinked (IU), short-term temporarily deferred (STTD) and autologous groups] and donor samples with antibodies to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) or hepatitis B core were tested for GBV-C/HGV RNA and for antibodies to E2 antigen (anti-E2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  GBV-C/HGV RNA was found in 1.1% and anti-E2 in 7.3% of the combined IU/STTD donor group. Viremia was much more common in anti-HCV-positive samples (12.5%); anti-E2 was present in >50% of this group. In the STTD group, female gender was significantly associated with viremia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GBV-C/HGV infection is relatively common in Canadian donors, and a small proportion are viremic. The association of female gender and viremia was unexpected. Further study is needed to clarify the epidemiology and natural history of GBV-C/HGV infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Bloodborne Pathogens, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giulivi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Slinger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tepper
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sher
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Scalia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C091015:glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus