Hepatitis G-Virus (HGV/GBV-C)

SummaryJapanese haemophiliacs have been at high risk for infection with parenterally-transmissible viruses through the use of blood products, especially imported ones. Recently, novel transfusion-transmissible virus, GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) were isolated. We investigated the origin and route of transmission of GBV-C/HGV isolates in haemophiliacs in Japan. GBV-C/HGV RNA was measured by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 91 Japanese haemophiliacs. Phylogenetic analysis and genotypic grouping of GBV-C/HGV isolates in Japanese haemophiliacs were performed based on sequences in the 5’ untranslated region, and the characteristics were compared with those of reported isolates. GBV-C/HGV infection was present in 19 of 91 haemophiliacs (20.9%). Sequence analysis showed that 15 of the 19 isolates (78.9%) showed sequence similarity to a group in which mainly West African isolates have been reported. The other 4 isolates (21.1%) showed sequence similarity to Asian isolates. None of the GBV-C/HGV isolates showed sequences similar to those generally found in isolates from USA and Europe. The majority of GBV-C/HGV isolates found in Japanese haemophiliacs who are considered to have been infected by imported blood products were similar to those detected in West Africa.

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Hepatitis G Viral RNA in Serum and in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Its Relation to HCV-RNA in Patients with Clotting Disorders

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1656069 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 77 (05) ◽

pp. 0868-0872 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Li Sheng ◽

Ann Soumillion ◽

Kathelijne Peerlinck ◽

Chris Verslype ◽

Lan Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Mononuclear Cells ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Normal Serum ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽

Hepatitis G Virus ◽

Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽

Hepatitis G

SummaryThe hepatitis G virus (HGV) has recently been identified as a new member of the Flaviviridae family. Infection by this virus is thought to be associated with blood borne hepatitis. In this study, the presence of HCV- and HGV-RNAs in serum or plasma (175 patients) and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (133 patients) was investigated in patients with clotting disorders using a sensitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HGV-RNA was detected in serum of 26 patients (14.8%). In apparently healthy blood donors, serum HGV-RNA was detected in 4 of 358 individuals investigated (1.12%). Ninety two percent of the 26 serum HGV-RNA positive patients had coinfection with the hepatitis C virus (HGV), especially with HCV genotype lb, the most common genotype in Belgium. Of these coinfected patients, 15 (62.5%) showed elevated serum ALT levels. Two patients who were solely infected with HGV had normal serum ALT. HGV-RNA in PBMC was found in 18 patients, of whom 3 were negative for serum HGV-RNA. As in case of HCV, HGV-RNA in PBMC is preferentially sensitive to interferon treatment. Nevertheless, rapid reappearance of HGV-RNA in PBMC was observed after cessation of treatment. In one patient, persistent serum ALT elevation seems to be associated with continued HGV viremia, despite the disappearance of serum HCV-RNA.

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