title: The GB viruses: a review and proposed classification of GBV-A, GBV-C (HGV), and GBV-D in genus Pegivirus within the family Flaviviridae.
abstract: In 1967, it was reported that experimental inoculation of serum from a surgeon (G.B.) with acute hepatitis into tamarins resulted in hepatitis. In 1995, two new members of the family Flaviviridae, named GBV-A and GBV-B, were identified in tamarins that developed hepatitis following inoculation with the 11th GB passage. Neither virus infects humans, and a number of GBV-A variants were identified in wild New World monkeys that were captured. Subsequently, a related human virus was identified [named GBV-C or hepatitis G virus (HGV)], and recently a more distantly related virus (named GBV-D) was discovered in bats. Only GBV-B, a second species within the genus Hepacivirus (type species hepatitis C virus), has been shown to cause hepatitis; it causes acute hepatitis in experimentally infected tamarins. The other GB viruses have however not been assigned to a genus within the family Flaviviridae. Based on phylogenetic relationships, genome organization and pathogenic features of the GB viruses, we propose to classify GBV-A-like viruses, GBV-C and GBV-D as members of a fourth genus in the family Flaviviridae, named Pegivirus (pe, persistent; g, GB or G). We also propose renaming 'GB' viruses within the tentative genus Pegivirus to reflect their host origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center and the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. jack-stapleton@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Jack T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Foung
authors.forename: A Scott
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Muerhoff
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bukh
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simmonds
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018067:Flaviviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008992:Monkey Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D010802:Phylogeny; D051078:Platyrrhini; D009626:Terminology as Topic