Epidemiology of GB virus c/hepatitis g virus infection in patients on peritoneal dialysis.
BACKGROUND
A new genus in the family Flaviviridae has recently been discovered; it has provisionally been designated GBV-C/HGV. As determined by virologic techniques [reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)], infection with GBV-C/HGV is frequent in renal transplant (RT) recipients and in patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD). The epidemiology of GBV-C/HGV infection in patients on peritoneal dialysis is scarce and mostly based on RT-PCR technology.


OBJECTIVE
We report on the prevalence (as detected by serologic and virologic techniques) and the risk factors for GBV-C/HGV infection in a cohort of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We also tested a control group of blood donors.


METHODS
Infection by GBV-C/HGV was assessed by serologic and virologic techniques. Cases of GBV-C/HGV viremia (GBV-C/HGV RNA) were detected by RT-PCR. Antibodies to the envelope protein of GBV-C/HGV (anti-E2 GBV-C/HGV antibody) were analyzed by serologic methods.


RESULTS
We found a high frequency [17/85 (20%)] of GBV-C/HGV. The rates of GBV-C/HGV viremia and anti-E2 GBV-C/HGV positivity were 10.5% (9/85) and 10.5% (9/85) respectively. In most patients [17/18 (94%)], the presence of anti-E2 GBV-C/HGV antibody was associated with clearance of GBV-C/HGV from serum. No relationship was noted between anti-E2 GBV-C/HGV antibody (or GBV-C/ HGV viremia) and age, sex, race, time on dialysis, anti-HCV antibody, HBsAg status, and anti-HIV positivity. The frequency of GBV-C/HGV infection in CAPD patients was much higher than that in blood donors, even if the difference did not approach statistical significance. No associations between GBV-C/HGV positivity and biochemical liver tests [aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)] were apparent.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection by GBV-C/HGV as detected by RT-PCR and anti-E2 antibody was common in patients on CAPD and in controls alike. No association was seen between GBV-C/HGV and various demographic or clinical factors. The clinical significance of GBV-C/HGV in CAPD remains unclear. Larger investigations are in progress.
Fabrizi
Fabrizio
F
fabrizi@policlinico.mi.it
De Vecchi
Amedeo F
AF
Lunghi
Giovanna
G
Finazzi
Silvia
S
Bisegna
Sergio
S
Ponticelli
Claudio
C
D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; D015995:Prevalence; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013997:Time Factors
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies