title: Male to male sex is associated with a high prevalence of exposure to GB virus C.
abstract: Co-infection with GB virus C (GBV-C) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appears to reduce mortality for HIV/AIDS. Epidemiological and demographic factors for GBV-C were examined prospectively in 167 subjects at risk for co-infection. We attempted to establish a hierarchical exposure risk for GBV-C. Overall exposure to GBV-C was 45.5%. In univariate analysis, GBV-C was associated with male to male sex (P<0.0001), HIV infection (P=0.0005) and hepatitis B infection (P=0.006). Injecting drug use approached statistical significance (P=0.08) while being a female sex worker was not associated with GBV-C exposure/infection (P=0.85). Exposure to GBV-C in 192 healthy blood donors was found to be 9.4%. In conclusion, the data suggest that male to male sex is a more effective mode of transmission of GBV-C and that GBV-C is associated with HIV co-infection. As male to male sex is also a risk factor for HIV transmission our data suggest that many may benefit from the potential protective effect GBV-C exerts on HIV-infected persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, 3181 Vic., Australia.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Berzsenyi
authors.forename: D Scott
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Bowden
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coghlan
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Dudley
authors.forename: Stuart K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology