[Investigation of hepatitis G virus prevalence in hemodialysis patients and blood donors in Denizli, Turkey].
This study focuses on the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) in hemodialysis patients and blood donors in Denizli (located at Aegean region of Turkey). A total of 100 patients (mean age: 56.8 +/- 13.3 years; 46 female) receiving hemodialysis and 100 blood donors (mean age: 31.3 +/- 8.1 years; 8 female) were included in the study. The presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA was determined in all patients by reverse transcriptase-PCR and the presence of GBV-C/HGV anti-E2 antibodies was determined by a commercial enzyme immunoassay (Diagnostic Automation, INC). Viral RNA positivity was determined in 14 (14%) of the hemodialysis patients and 2 (2%) of the blood donors, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). GBV-C/HGV anti-E2 antibodies were detected in 1 (1%) of the hemodialysis patients and 3 (3%) of the blood donors. Anti-E2 positive patient also revealed positive result for viral RNA. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anti-E2 positivity. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 14% in hemodialysis patients and 5% in blood donors (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of duration of hemodialysis, serum ALT levels, age or gender between GBV-C/HGV positive and negative hemodialysis patients. In conclusion, since hemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of parenteral transmission, they have significantly higher GBV-C/HGV viremia rates and prevalence when compared to blood donors. However, the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV and coexistence between GBV-C/HGV and hepatitis C virus have been decreasing in our region owing to increased hygienic precautions in hemodialysis units, avoidance of unnecessary blood transfusions and more widespread use of erythropoietin.
Hanci
Sevgi Yilmaz
SY
Zonguldak Devlet Hastanesi, Mikrobiyoloji ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, Zonguldak. mdsevgi@gmail.com
Cevahir
Nural
N
Kaleli
Ilknur
I
Hanci
Volkan
V
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral