Natural History of GBV-C/Hepatitis G Virus Infection Through the Follow-Up of GBV-C/Hepatitis G Virus–Infected Blood Donors and Recipients Studied by RNA Polymerase Chain Reaction and Anti-E2 Serology

• Published in: Blood 1997-11, Vol.90 (9), p.3776-3780
• Main Authors: Lefrère, Jean-Jacques, Loiseau, Pascale, Maury, Jacqueline, Lasserre, Jacqueline, Mariotti, Martine, Ravera, Nadine, Lerable, Joelle, Lefèvre, Guillaume, Morand-Joubert, Laurence, Girot, Robert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenovirus E2 Proteins - immunology; Antigens, Viral - immunology; Blood Donors; Cohort Studies; Flaviviridae - genetics; Flaviviridae - isolation & purification; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis, Viral, Human - transmission; Humans; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Viral - analysis; Serology; Transfusion Reaction
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V90.9.3776

The aims of this study were to determine the outcome and the natural history of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection and to establish the frequency of acute or persistent infections in multiply-transfused individuals and blood donors. We used a GBV-C/HGV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and an assay evidencing antibodies to the envelop protein E2, which is considered a marker for virus clearance. Among 16 PCR-positive recipients, 11 were still positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA at the end of the study period; six of the 16 recipients were GBV-C/HGV infected during the study period and thus had a well-defined date of infection. The 16 patients were shown to carry GBV-C/HGV RNA over a mean period of 4.4 years, for a mean observational period (defined as the follow-up period since the first sample positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA) of 5.3 years. Within the limits of the study period, the patients with a well-defined date of infection were positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA during a mean period of 4.7 years. If defined by the presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA for at least 6 months, the persistent infection rate was 100% in this recipient cohort. Serum anti-E2 antibody was evidenced at least once in five (31.2%) recipients and, except in one case, became detectable after the loss of GBV-C/HGV RNA. Among the 11 blood donors, all were still positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA after a mean follow-up period of 7.7 months. The persistent infection rate was 100% in this donor cohort. Once acquired, the infection to GBV-C/HGV generally tends to persist in immunocompetent patients.