GB Virus Type C: a Beneficial Infection?

A previously unrecognized sixth genotype of GB virus C revealed by analysis of 5′‐untranslated region sequences

“…Numerous studies reported a protective effect of GBV-C and HIV co-infection, though a few studies have observed no effect [Tillmann and Manns, 2001;Stapleton et al, 2004]. It is currently unknown how GBV-C or HIV genetic diversity might affect interactions between these viruses or if there is an impact on progression to AIDS or patient survival in coinfected individuals.…”

GB virus C quasispecies detected in plasma and lymphocyte subsets in a natural human infection

“…GB virus C (GBV-C) has worldwide distribution and its infection is very common, with approximately 2 % of healthy USA blood donors actively viraemic at the time of blood donation (Alter, 1997;Linnen et al, 1996;Stapleton et al, 2004). In Argentina, molecular epidemiological studies demonstrated that the prevalence of GBV-C ongoing infection among blood donors is 5.5 % (Oubiña et al, 1999).…”

An 85-aa segment of the GB virus type C NS5A phosphoprotein inhibits HIV-1 replication in CD4 + Jurkat T cells

“…1). Because of shared modes of transmission, up to 86% of HIVpositive individuals have evidence of active (39.6%) or prior (46%) GBV-C infection (1,2). Although viremia may persist for decades in some individuals, most immune-competent hosts clear GBV-C infection concurrently with the development of antibodies to the envelope glycoprotein E2 (3,4), which appear to confer some, although not complete, protection against reinfection (4).…”

“…1 and 5), numerous studies found a significant association between persistent GBV-C viremia and prolonged survival among HIV-infected individuals (6; reviewed in ref. 1).…”

“…1). Because of shared modes of transmission, up to 86% of HIVpositive individuals have evidence of active (39.6%) or prior (46%) GBV-C infection (1,2).…”