HIV-GB virus C co-infection: an overview.
GB virus C (GBV-C) and hepatitis G virus (HGV) are two isolates of the same virus, independently identified in humans in the 1990s by two research laboratories, and were initially considered a potential cause of liver disease. Studies failed to associate the virus with hepatitis or any known human disease. GBV-C reappeared in the scientific scene when some research groups, in an attempt to find the interference of the virus among HIV seropositive patients, reported a lower mortality rate and slower disease progression among co-infected patients. From then on, several mechanisms have been proposed to clarify this putative benefit; however, the question whether GBV-C exerts a protective effect in HIV-infected patients remains to be resolved.
Baggio-Zappia
Giovana Lotici
GL
Infectious Disease Discipline, Laboratory of Virology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. giovanabio@yahoo.com.br
Hernandes Granato
Celso Francisco
CF
D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D014762:Viral Interference