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GBV‐C/hepatitis G virus in acute nonA–E hepatitis and in acute hepatitis of defined aetiology in Italy
Author(s) -
Romanŏ Luisa,
Fabris Paolo,
Tanzi Elisabetta,
Tositti Giulia,
Mazzotta Francesco,
Zanetti Alessandro R.
Publication year - 2000
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(200005)61:1<59::aid-jmv9>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - medicine , acute hepatitis , gb virus c , viral hepatitis , hepatitis , hepatitis a , hepatitis e , virology , etiology , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , immunology , virus , flaviviridae , biology , genotype , biochemistry , gene
The role of GBV‐C/HGV in the aetiology of acute non A–E hepatitis and its impact on the course of acute hepatitis of defined aetiology were investigated by detecting viral RNA by RT‐PCR and antibody to the E2 protein of GB virus C (anti‐E2) by EIA. Ninety‐eight patients with acute nonA–E hepatitis, 35 patients with acute hepatitis A, 63 with acute hepatitis B, 29 with acute hepatitis C and 270 controls were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of GBV‐C/HGV RNA was similar among patients with acute nonA–E hepatitis (3.1%), with acute hepatitis A (2.9%), and controls (3.7%), but significantly higher ( P < 0.05) among those with hepatitis B or C (19.0% and 48.3%, respectively). Similar figures were obtained considering the total rate of GBV‐C/HGV exposure (viral RNA or anti‐E2 positivity). The majority (24/30 or 80%) of GBV‐C/HGV RNA positive patients reported a parenteral source of exposure whereas the remaining 20% denied having known risk factors. The liver function test values and the rate of chronic hepatitis B and C were similar in patients co‐infected and in those not co‐infected with GBV‐C/HGV. This study excludes a significant role of GBV‐C/HGV infection in the aetiology of acute nonA–E hepatitis in Italy. Concomitant GBV‐C/HGV and HBV or HCV infection does not worsen the clinical course of illness among patients with acute hepatitis. J. Med. Virol. 61:59–64, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.