A Novel Human Pegivirus, HPgV-2 (HHpgV-1), Is Tightly Associated With Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Coinfection

Abstract

Our results indicate the rarity of HPgV-2 infection in the general population and tight association with HCV, in particular with HCV/HIV-1 coinfection. HPgV-2 appears not to worsen HCV-related liver damage. Our study provides new findings about the association of HPgV-2 and HCV/HIV-1 and the impact of HPgV-2 infection on HCV replication and pathogenesis.

Hepatitis C virus surveillance and identification of human pegivirus 2 in a large Cameroonian cohort

“…Overall, N = 28 specimens were reactive in at least one antibody assay and N = 11 additional specimens had at least one grayzone result, giving a HPgV‐2 seroprevalence of 10.6% amongst HCV RNA‐positive specimens (Figure ). Higher HPgV‐2 seroprevalence rates were found amongst HIV‐HCV co‐infected participants (13.8%, N = 15/109) compared to HCV mono‐infected (8.39%, N = 13/155) participants, consistent with previous reports . Similarly, a higher HPgV‐2 seroprevalence rate was observed amongst females (11.0%, N = 12/109) compared to males (5.13%, N = 4/78).…”

“…This is the first study to report HPgV‐2 infections on the African continent, with a seroprevalence of 10.6% amongst HCV RNA‐positive individuals in Cameroon, which is higher than the rates observed in the USA (2.6%‐3.31%) and China (1.23%) . Amongst HPgV‐2 seropositive individuals that we were able to test, 2/18 (11.1%) viremic infections were confirmed by two independent sequencing strategies (Figures and ), although this may be an underestimation of HPgV‐2 viremic cases and an overestimation of clearance due to specimen dilution prior to molecular characterization.…”

“…Since HPgV‐2 infections have predominantly been identified in viremic HCV co‐infected individuals, a subset of N = 264 HCV RNA‐positive specimens were screened for antibodies to HPgV‐2 NS4AB and E2 proteins (Figure ). Overall, N = 28 specimens were reactive in at least one antibody assay and N = 11 additional specimens had at least one grayzone result, giving a HPgV‐2 seroprevalence of 10.6% amongst HCV RNA‐positive specimens (Figure ).…”

“…Human pegivirus 2 (HPgV‐2) is a newly identified virus that is most closely related to rodent and bat pegiviruses, sharing <32% amino acid identity with these relatives, HPgV‐2 infections have been identified in plasma specimens from the USA, UK, Germany, Iran and China, indicating that this virus is already present on at least 3 continents. The expansion of HPgV‐2 surveillance to additional parts of the world will determine the prevalence and extent of genetic diversity of HPgV‐2.…”

“…The expansion of HPgV‐2 surveillance to additional parts of the world will determine the prevalence and extent of genetic diversity of HPgV‐2. Although the effects of HPgV‐2 on human health have not been determined, an association between the detection of HPgV‐2 RNA and HCV co‐infection has been observed …”