Comparison of GB virus C, HIV, and HCV infection markers in hemophiliacs exposed to non-inactivated or inactivated factor concentrates.
BACKGROUND
Until the mandatory introduction of viral inactivation techniques of blood plasma products in the early 1980s many recipients of these products were infected with various viral pathogens.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the rate of transmission of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) HCV, and HIV through non-virus-inactivated clotting factor concentrates in hemophiliacs, as well as the relation between amount of administered clotting factor and risk for GBV-C/HGV infection.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, we determined retrospectively the rates of infection markers for GBV-C/HGV, HCV, and HIV in a German cohort of hemophiliacs treated with documented amounts of non-virus-inactivated clotting factor concentrates (group A) and in a second group of hemophiliacs who were treated exclusively with virus-inactivated clotting factor (group B). The presence of anti-virus antibodies was determined by ELISA. Viral RNA was detected by RT-PCR. Markers for viral infections were compared to amounts of administered non-virus-inactivated clotting factor.


RESULTS
Among hemophiliacs treated with documented amounts of non-virus-inactivated clotting factor the prevalence for GBV-C/HGV, HCV, and HIV was 40.3%, 98.6%, and 56.3%, respectively. In contrast to HIV, the rate of GBV-C/HGV infections did not increase with increasing amounts of consumed non-inactivated clotting factor. Even in the subgroup of heavily treated hemophiliacs the rate of GBV-C/HGV infection markers did not exceed 45%.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of non-virus-inactivated clotting factor is not predictive for the risk of GBV-C/HGV infection in hemophiliacs. Despite repeated parenteral exposure more than 55% of hemophiliacs were not infected with GBV-C/HGV. Our findings indicate a high frequency of host factors preventing parenteral transmission of GBV-C/HGV.
Kupfer
Bernd
B
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Str. 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
Ruf
Torsten
T
Matz
Bertfried
B
Nattermann
Jacob
J
Spengler
Ulrich
U
Rockstroh
Jürgen K
JK
Brackmann
Hans H
HH
Blümel
Johannes
J
Tacke
Michael
M
Kaiser
Rolf
R
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001483:Base Sequence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017931:DNA Primers; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D029407:GB virus C; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019562:Viral Load
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral