Detection of serologic responses to GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) and compare the serologic responses to various GBV-C/HGV markers in eastern Taiwan aborigines.


METHODS
We used RT-PCR and anti-HGenv u-plate to investigate the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV in eastern Taiwan aborigines. We also used ELISA, dot blot assay, and Western blot to detect the serologic responses to various GBV-C/HGV markers.


RESULTS
The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV RNA in the general population of eastern Taiwan aborigines is about 5% (17/317), while 14% (43/317) have anti-E2 antibodies. There were no significant differences in antibody titer against one consensus core peptide (PPSSAAACSRGSPR) between GBV-C/HGV RNA-positive and -negative sera. Only 23 of 42 serum samples positive in the anti-HGenv u-plate EIA assay were positive (55%) in the dot blot assay. No positive signal was detected by Western blot using either recombinant NS3 or commercial E2 proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
Antibodies against one consensus core peptide (PPSSAAACSRGSPR) may not constitute a good marker for the detection of GBV-C/HGV viremia. For the detection of anti-E2 antibodies, the anti-HGenv u-plate assay is more sensitive than the dot blot assay. Western blot assay is not a sensitive method for detecting GBV-C/HGV infection.
Lo
Shih-Yen
SY
Department of Medical Technology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
Ku
Chia-Wen
CW
Ma
Hsin-Chieh
HC
Li
Yi-Hwei
YH
Yu
Jui-Hung
JH
Lin
Hsien-Hong
HH
Lua
Ahai C
AC
Lee
Ming-Liang
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D044469:Racial Groups; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C107619:glycoprotein E2, GB virus C