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GB Virus C/Hepatitis G Virus and Intravenous Immunoglobulins
Author(s) -
Nübling C. M.,
Gröner A.,
Löwer J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1046/j.1423-0410.1998.7530189.x
Subject(s) - virology , antibody , intravenous immunoglobulins , virus , intravenous use , hepatitis c virus , medicine , intravenous drug , hepatitis a virus , immunology , viral disease , anesthesia
Background and Objectives : Different intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) were found to be GB virus C/hepatitis G virus polymerase chain reaction (GBV‐C/HGV‐PCR)‐positive. The potential transmission of this virus to recipients by a PCR‐positive IVIG batch was investigated. Materials and Methods : Polyclonal IVIGs of different manufacturers and with different virus inactivation procedures were analyzed by GBV‐C/HGV‐PCR and anti‐E2‐ELISA. Follow‐up sera of 13 participants of a clinical trial performed with a GBV‐C/HGV‐PCR‐positive batch were retrospectively investigated for GBV‐C/HGV seroconversion (specific antibodies, viral RNA). Results : Four out of ten IVIGs analysed by GBV‐C/HGV‐PCR were – at least for some batches ‐ virus genome‐positive. Virus inactivation by solvent/detergent treatment resulted in GBV‐C/HGV‐PCR‐negative products. GBV‐C/HGV‐specific antibodies were detectable in all IVIGs analyzed. There was no transmission of GBV‐C/HGV‐observed when recipients of a large amount of GBV‐C/HGV‐PCR‐positive batch were analyzed by an antibody test and specific PCR. Conclusions : Despite PCR positivity of an IVIG preparation no transmission of GBV‐C/HGV to recipients was observed. Possible explanations are a sufficient virus inactivation procedure and/or presence of specific antibodies in the final products.