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Seroprevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus–RNA and anti‐envelope antibody in high‐risk populations in Taiwan
Author(s) -
Hwang ShinnJang,
Chu ChenWei,
Lu ReiHwa,
Lan KengHsin,
Wu JawChing,
Wang YuanJan,
Chang FullYoung,
Lee ShouDong
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1746.2000.02312.x
Subject(s) - gb virus c , medicine , virology , virus , hepatitis c virus , seroprevalence , antibody , flaviviridae , hemodialysis , serology , immunology
Background: GB Virus C (GBV‐C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) was identified in 1995–1996 as a transfusion‐transmissible virus. The diagnosis of GBV‐C/HGV infection is based on the detection of GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA by using polymerase chain reaction. Recently, an enzyme immunoassay detecting the antibodies to the viral protein, E2 envelope protein (anti‐envelope) of GBV‐C/HGV, has been developed. Methods: Serum GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA and anti‐envelope antibody were determined in 76 cases of intravenous drug users (IVDU), 76 patients with regular hemodialysis and in 80 prostitutes to evaluate the GBV‐C/HGV infection rate among high‐risk populations in Taiwan. Seventy‐six healthy blood donors were randomly selected and were used as a control group. Results: The prevalence of GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA in high‐risk populations was 33% for IVDU, 16% for patients with hemodialysis and 13% for prostitutes, which was significantly higher than the 3% obtained in the control group ( P < 0.05 for all groups). The prevalence of anti‐envelope antibody was 13% for IVDU, 21% for patients with hemodialysis and 23% for prostitutes, which was not significantly different from the control group (11%). Among the 99 subjects who had positive GBV‐C/HGV markers, 97 were tested for exclusive positivity for either GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA or anti‐envelope antibody. Conclusions: The presence of serum anti‐envelope antibody usually indicates the clearance of serum GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA in patients infected with GBV‐C/HGV. GB Virus‐C/HGV infection in high‐risk populations, determined by the presence of serum GBV‐C/HGV‐RNA, may underestimate the true level of past and present infection.