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Risk and clearance of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in homosexual men: A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Stark Klaus,
Doering Carl D.,
Bienzle Ulrich,
Pauli Georg,
Hamouda Osamah,
Engel Alfred M.,
Schreier Eckart
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9071(199911)59:3<303::aid-jmv7>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - gb virus c , virology , medicine , virus , flaviviridae , viral disease , incidence (geometry) , antibody , hepatitis c virus , immunology , physics , optics
The risk and clearance of GB virus type C (GBV‐C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection was investigated in a cohort of homosexual men (n=180; median follow‐up time, 7 years). The interaction between GBV‐C/HGV RNA and antibodies against the E2 region of the virus, and the clinical impact of chronic GBV‐C/HGV infection were studied. GBV‐C/HGV RNA was detected by RT‐PCR, and E2 antibodies were assessed by an immunoassay. At baseline, 63% of the participants had evidence of previous or current GBV‐C/HGV infection. The GBV‐C/HGV incidence rate was 2 per 100 person‐years (95% confidence interval 0.9–3.8) and was similar to the HIV incidence. The incidence of GBV‐C/HGV infection was significantly higher in those reporting unprotected anal intercourse (3.6 per 100 person‐years compared to 0 in the group without such sexual contacts). The occurrence of E2 antibodies was strongly associated with GBV‐C/HGV RNA clearance. A loss of E2 antibodies was observed at a rate of 1.5 per 100 person‐years. It was higher among HIV‐infected individuals. Chronic GBV‐C/HGV infection was not associated with clinical or biochemical evidence of liver disease. J. Med. Virol. 59:303–306, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.