[Is GB virus C alias "hepatitis" G virus involved in human pathology?].
GB virus-C alias "hepatitis" virus G was discovered in 1995 as a putative causative virus of non A-E hepatitis. It is a very common virus found in 1 to 5% of eligible blood donors in developed countries. Numerous studies over seven years led to the exclusion of its role as a significant etiological agent of hepatitis. Its in vivo replication site is still unknown. Its direct involvement in the induction of significant hepatic or extra-hepatic diseases could not be demonstrated. However, coinfections with other viruses may contribute to changes in the evolution of both liver disease (negatively) and HIV/AIDS (favourably). Today, no country has decided to screen GBV-C in blood donors. However, more studies are necessary before the absence of influence of GBV-C infection on human health in the context of other viral infections could be confirmed definitely. This article is a review of the literature on a possible involvement of GBV-C in pathologies whether associated or not to other infections.
Chams
V
V
Etablissement français du sang, 100 avenue de Suffren, 75015 Paris, France. vida.chams-harvey@bch.ap-hop-paris.fr
Fournier-Wirth
C
C
Chabanel
A
A
Hervé
P
P
Trépo
C
C
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission; D001782:Blood Donors; D003906:Developing Countries; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D029407:GB virus C; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000635:transmission*