Analysis of Hepatitis G Virus (HGV) RNA, Antibody to HGV Envelope Protein, and Risk Factors for Blood Donors Coinfected with HGV and Hepatitis C Virus

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 1999-05, Vol.179 (5), p.1055-1061
• Main Authors: Tan, De, Matsumoto, Akihiro, Conry-Cantilena, Cathy, Melpolder, Jacqueline C., Shih, James W. K., Leuther, Michael, Hess, George, Gibble, Joan W., Ness, Paul M., Alter, Harvey J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Antibodies; Biological and medical sciences; Blood donation; Blood Donors; Cocaine; Digoxigenin; Female; Flaviviridae - genetics; Flaviviridae - immunology; Flaviviridae - isolation & purification; GB virus C; Hepacivirus; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepatitis; Hepatitis Antibodies - blood; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - transmission; Hepatitis C - virology; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis G virus; Hepatitis, Viral, Human - complications; Hepatitis, Viral, Human - immunology; Hepatitis, Viral, Human - transmission; Hepatitis, Viral, Human - virology; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infections; Infectious diseases; Liver Function Tests; Major Articles; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Predisposing factors; Risk Factors; RNA; RNA, Viral - blood; Viral diseases; Viral Envelope Proteins - immunology; Viral hepatitis; Viruses
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/314722

Serologic, biochemical, and molecular analyses were used to study hepatitis G virus (HGV), antibody to the HGV envelope protein (anti-E2), risk factors, clinical significance, and the impact of HGV on coexistent hepatitis C virus (HCV). Among 329 donors with confirmed HCV infection, 12% were HGV RNA—positive and 44% were anti-E2—positive (total exposure, 56%). HGV RNA and anti-E2 were mutually exclusive except in 9 donors (1.5%); 8 of 9 subsequently lost HGV RNA but anti-E2 persisted. HGV had little impact on alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, or γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in donors with HGV infection alone or those coinfected with HCV. A multivariate analysis showed that intravenous drug abuse was the leading risk factor for HGV transmission, followed by blood transfusion, snorting cocaine, imprisonment, and a history of sexually transmitted diseases. In summary, HGV and HCV infections were frequently associated and shared common parenteral risk factors; HGV did not appear to cause hepatitis or to worsen the course of coexistent hepatitis C.