title: Prevalence and clinical role of GBV-C infection after cardiac surgery in childhood: a study on 414 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  GB-virus C (GBV-C) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) share similar modes of transmission. We, therefore, examined the prevalence and clinical role of GBV-C and HCV in patients after cardiac surgery in childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed blood samples of 414 patients and compared them to 487 controls. Evidence of liver disease and risk factors for infection was analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of GBV-C infection was 22.5% in the patients, compared to 6.2% in the controls (HCV infection 11.3 vs. 0.7%). GBV-C RNA was detected in 8.2% of the patients vs. 3.7% in the controls (HCV RNA in 6 and 0%, respectively). Eleven patients had detectable RNA of GBV-C and HCV. 63.4% of patients infected with GBV-C and 46.8% of patients infected with HCV cleared the virus from circulation. GBV-C infection was not associated with hepatitis. Liver disease was not more frequent in patients co-infected with HCV and GBV-C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  before 1991 have a substantial risk for HCV and GBV-C infection. However, GBV-C infection seems not to be associated with a liver disease. Co-infection with GBV-C and HCV has no influence on long-term clinical outcome or viral clearance of HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Disease, German Heart Center, Technical University of Munich, Lazarettstr. 36, D-80636 Munich, Germany. drvogt@dhm.mhn.de
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klostermann
authors.forename: Siegmund
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Raymonde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frösner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral