Prevalence of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus viremia and anti-E2 in Canadian blood donors.
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.
Giulivi
A
A
Division of Bloodborne Pathogens, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
Slinger
R
R
Tepper
M
M
Sher
G
G
Scalia
V
V
Kessler
G
G
Gill
P
P
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
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