GB virus C during the natural course of HIV-1 infection: viremia at diagnosis does not predict mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether GBV-C viremia at diagnosis of HIV-1 infection predicts disease outcome in patients not receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), and whether longitudinal changes in GBV-C viremia are associated with disease progression.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
230 patients with a serum sample available for testing obtained within 2 years of HIV-1 diagnosis were followed until either initiation of ART, death, or their last visit to our clinic (median follow-up 4.3 years). Baseline and follow-up serum samples (available from 163 patients) were tested for GBV-C RNA and antibodies against GBV-C envelope E2 protein (anti-E2; signifying resolved GBV-C viremia).


RESULTS
At inclusion, 62 patients (27%) had GBV-C viremia and 69 (30%) had anti-E2. Baseline GBV-C status was not associated with all-cause mortality (P = 0.12), HIV-related mortality (P = 0.18), or development of AIDS (P = 0.84). However, GBV-C RNA was less prevalent in patients with AIDS at inclusion (P = 0.008). Eleven of 44 patients with baseline GBV-C viremia lost GBV-C RNA during follow-up without showing anti-E2 seroconversion. In comparison with anti-E2-negative patients with either persistent absence, persistent presence, or acquisition of GBV-C viremia, these subjects had significantly increased all-cause mortality (P = 0.018), HIV-related mortality (P = 0.007), and AIDS incidence (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
GBV-C status at diagnosis did not predict disease outcome in this HIV cohort. GBV-C viremia was rare in patients with AIDS, and tended to disappear without occurrence of anti-E2 in patients with progressive disease. This suggests that the GBV-C status of HIV-1-infected patients could be a phenomenon secondary to HIV progression, rather than an independent prognostic factor.
Björkman
Per
P
Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden.
Flamholc
Leo
L
Nauclér
Anders
A
Molnegren
Vilma
V
Wallmark
Ewa
E
Widell
Anders
A
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D014766:Viremia
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral