Jpn. J. Infect. Dis., 59 (1), 25-30, 2006
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Original Article
Prevalence and Clinical Significance of HGV/GBV-C Infection in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B or C
Jeng-Fu Yang1,2, Chia-Yen Dai2,3 , Wan-Long Chuang2, Wen-Yi Lin1,2, Zu-Yau Lin2, Shinn-Cherng Chen2, Ming-Yuh Hsieh2, Liang-Yen Wang2, Jung-Fa Tsai2, Wen-Yu Chang2 and Ming-Lung Yu1,2*
1Department of Preventive Medicine and 2Department of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, and 3Department of Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal HsiaoKang Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
(Received July 5, 2005. Accepted November 11, 2005)
*Corresponding author: Mailing address: Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Rd, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. Tel: +886-7-3121101 ext. 7475, Fax: +886-7-3123955, E-mail: fishya@ms14.hinet.net
SUMMARY: Hepatitis G virus/GB virus-C (HGV/GBV-C) is a newly identified Flavivirus. Its clinical significance in chronic hepatitis B and C remains controversial. Infection with HGV/GBV-C was surveyed in 500 blood donors, 130 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 173 with hepatitis C, with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HGV/GBV-C RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. An antibody to HGV/GBV-C's second envelope protein (anti-E2 Ab) was detected using an enzyme immunoassay. The prevalence of HGV/GBV-C RNA was 3.4% and the exposure rate 10.2% in blood donors. The prevalence of HGV/GBV-C RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C was 7.7 and 17.3%, respectively (P = 0.002). The prevalence of the HGV/GBV-C infection in hepatitis B carriers increased with the severity of chronic liver disease and risk of HCC. The age and duration of hepatitis B virus infection were the more important contributing factors. Clinical and virological characteristics were comparable between those with and without coinfection of HGV/GBV-C and hepatitis C. The seroconversion rate was high. Coinfection of HGV/GBV-C with hepatitis B or C does not affect disease severity, but accelerates the progression of chronic liver disease and the development of HCC.