Prevalence and clinical role of GBV-C infection after cardiac surgery in childhood: a study on 414 patients.
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.
Vogt
Manfred
M
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
Klostermann
Barbara
B
Braun
Siegmund
S
Busch
Raymonde
R
Hess
John
J
Frösner
Gert
G
Lang
Thomas
T
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
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral