Evaluation of GBV-C / HVG viremia in HIV-infected women

Abstract

SUMMARYThe present study aimed at standardizing a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to evaluate the presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA. A "TaqMan" assay using primers and probe derived from the 5′ NCR region was developed and validated. Two hundred and fifty-three plasma samples from HIV-infected women were tested for GBV-C viremia and antibody against the envelope protein 2. GBV-C RNA was detected in 22.5% of the patients whereas the antibody was identified in 25.3% of the cohort. Detection of viral RNA and of antibodies was mutually exclusive. Viral loads showed a mean of 1,777 arbitrary units / mL, being 1.1 and 13,625 arbitrary units / mL respectively the lowest and highest values measured. We conclude that the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method developed is appropriate for the investigation of GBV-C RNA since it was shown to be highly specific and sensitive, as well as requiring few steps, preventing contamination and providing additional information as to the relative viremia of carriers, a parameter that must be included in studies evaluating the co-factors influencing the clinical outcome of HIV/AIDS.

Prevalence and vertical transmission of human pegivirus among pregnant women infected with HIV

“…The prevalence of HPgV in the present study (25.4%) was similar to that in other Brazilian studies performed among patients with HIV infection (19.4%–22.5%) . Furthermore, the current rate is similar to the prevalence reported in high‐income countries, including the USA (22.9%) and Japan (20.3%) …”

“…The prevalence of HPgV in the present study (25.4%) was similar to that in other Brazilian studies performed among patients with HIV infection (19.4%-22.5%). 11,12 Furthermore, the current rate is similar to the prevalence reported in high-income countries, including the USA (22.9%) and Japan (20.3%). 5,13,14 The rate of vertical transmission of HPgV recorded in the present study (31.2%) was consistent with studies in China (27.3%), Thailand (41.0%), and Italy (19.4%-70.0%); by contrast, it was higher than the rates reported in Sweden (1.9%) and Ghana (3.6%).…”