High prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus genotype 3 among autochthonous Venezuelan populations

GB virus C or hepatitis G virus (GBV‐C/HGV) is highly prevalent among population groups at risk of parenterally transmitted viral agents, but it has also a worldwide distribution in other non‐risk population groups. GBV‐C/HGV RNA and antibodies against its envelope protein (anti‐E2 Abs) were found in 3/86 (3%) and 7/89 (8%) of biomedical science personnel (BSP), in 31/453 (7%) and 37/200 (19%) of blood donors (BD), and in 6/64 (9%) and 26/59 (44%) of hemodialysis patients (HD) from Caracas, Venezuela. A significant gradient of GBV‐C/HGV exposure (anti‐E2 Abs and/or GBV‐C/HGV RNA) was found between BSP (lowest prevalence), BD, and HD ( P  < 0.001). GBV‐C/HGV RNA and anti‐E2 Abs were also found in 2/69 (2.9%) and 2/44 (4.5%) of individuals from a rural community, in 9/162 (5.5%) and 2/40 (5%) of West Amerindians, and in 14/56 (25%) and 4/53 (7.5%) of South Amerindians. Socioeconomic and cultural factors may have contributed to the relatively high risk of exposure to GBV‐C/HGV in BD and Amerindians. Whereas GBV‐C/HGV genotypes 1 (n = 1), 2 (n = 6), and 3 (n = 22) were present in Venezuela, only the Asiatic genotype 3 was found infecting Amerindians and rural populations (n = 16). Genotype assignment based on the 5′ noncoding region of the GBV‐ C/HGV genome was corroborated in some isolates by genetic analysis of the E2 region. This report confirms the circulation of the Asiatic genotype of GBV‐C/HGV among Amerindians, suggesting an old origin of GBV‐C/HGV. This might be associated with the apparently low pathogenesis of this virus. J. Med. Virol. 68:357–362, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.