Evidence for probable sexual transmission of the hepatitis g virus.
A cross-sectional epidemiology study evaluated the role of sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the transmission of hepatitis G virus (HGV/GBV-C) and other hepatitis virus infections in 944 subjects. There was a statistically significant higher prevalence of HGV/GBV-C, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus exposure in the STD clinic group (i.e., subjects who were currently seeking treatment for an STD) compared with the group who never had received treatment for an STD. In a comparison of the subjects with an STD versus those without an STD, the prevalence of HGV/GBV-C was 11.3% versus 4.9%, on the basis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results alone, and 36.6% versus 8.8%, when results of PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were combined. Sexual activity and, possibly, the presence of an STD increases the risk of HGB/GBV-C transmission.
Frey
Sharon E
SE
Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
Homan
Sharon M
SM
Sokol-Anderson
Marcia
M
Cayco
Margarita Torralba
MT
Cortorreal
Prospero
P
Musial
Cora E
CE
Di Bisceglie
Adrian
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D029407:GB virus C; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012698:Serologic Tests; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology*