Prevalence of GB virus C (hepatitis G virus) and risk factors for infection in São Paulo, Brazil.
The prevalence of GB virus C (GBV-C) varies widely throughout the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, to estimate the prevalence of GBV-C infection and to identify associated risk factors, using a large sampling of the general population rather than blood donors or an illness-related group of subjects. GBV-C RNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using primers directed to the 5' noncoding region (NCR) and nonstructural 5A region (NS5A) in serum samples from 1,039 healthy individuals 2 years of age or more. Fifty-two individuals were positive for both sets of primers and one was positive for NS5A only (prevalence of GBV-C infection, 5.1%; 95%CI, 3.9-6.7%). No child under 5 years of age was found positive. Among subjects aged 5 years or more, the prevalence of infection increased consistently with age, up to 30-39 years (8.3%), and decreased from then on. The number of sexual partners in the last 3 years (2 or more: OR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.3-5.5) and history of contact with blood-sucking insects (OR, 2.5; 95%CI 1.2-5.4) were independently associated with GBV-C infection. In conclusion, the prevalence of GBV-C infection is high in São Paulo. In addition to parenteral transmission, another route, e.g. sexual or vertical, may be involved.
Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 155-1 Andar, 05403-000 São Paulo, Brazil.
G
G
Ribeiro-dos-Santos
A S
AS
Nishiya
C M R
CM
Nascimento
L
L
Bassit
D F
DF
Chamone
R
R
Focaccia
J
J
Eluf-Neto
E C
EC
Sabino
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors
D012367:RNA, Viral