Prevalence of GB virus type C in urban Americans infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.
GBV-C virus infection has been linked to improved clinical outcome in HIV-1 co-infected individuals. The epidemiology of GBV-C has, thus far, been limited to the gay male, HIV+ population. Here we describe the prevalence of antibodies against GBV-C envelope glycoprotein E2 and GBV-C viremia in an HIV+ inner city population. This study group is predominantly African-American; 41% of the participants are women. The major risk factor for HIV infection is intravenous drug use. Overall, 56% of the study population had evidence of current or past infection with GBV-C. GBV-C exposure was not associated with hepatitis C virus infection. The group of participants, who had GBV-C viremia and anti-E2 antibodies, had high percentage of patients with an undetectable HIV-1 viral load. These data provide increased insight into the prevalence of GBV-C co-infection in the HIV epidemic in this understudied population.
Smith
Stephen M
SM
Saint Michael's Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA. ssmith1824@aol.com
Donio
Michael J
MJ
Singh
Mahender
M
Fallon
James P
JP
Jitendranath
Lavanya
L
Chkrebtii
Natalia
N
Slim
Jihad
J
Finkel
Diana
D
Perez
George
G
D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D014505:Urban Population; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C107619:glycoprotein E2, GB virus C