GB virus C/hepatitis G virus exposure in Italian pediatric and young adult  thalassemic patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to estimate the prevalence and the persistence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) exposure markers in a group at high risk for transfusion-transmitted agents.


METHODS
Serum samples from 37 thalassemic patients were screened for GBV-C/HGV RNA by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and for antibodies to the envelope protein E2 of GBV-C/HGV (anti-E2).


CONCLUSIONS
GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-E2 were detected in 13 (35%) and 12 (32%) sera, respectively. Contemporary presence of both markers was found in one patient. GBV-C/HGV exposure was found in 24 patients (64.8%). Mean levels of liver enzymes were similar in both exposed and unexposed GBV-C/HGV groups. 33 out of 35 patients showed no change in GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-E2 status in sera taken 6 months apart. The rate of persistent infection was 92.3% and the anti-E2 seroconversion rate was 23% for sera taken at least 6 months apart. The temporal overlap between anti-E2 seroconversion and loss of detectable GBV-C/HGV RNA may last more than 6 months.
Kondili
L A
LA
Virology Laboratory, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Chionne
P
P
Dettori
S
S
Badolato
M C
MC
Grosso
A
A
Vania
A
A
Rapicetta
M
M
D017502:Adenovirus E2 Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D017502:Adenovirus E2 Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral