Influence of GB virus‐C/hepatitis G virus infection on the long‐term course of chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Airns/Background: The clinical significance of GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) infection in chronic hepatitis B is not well known and its role in the outcome of liver disease was investigated. Methods: HGV-RNA and antibody to HGV (anti-E2) were studied in 125 patients with chronic hepatitis B (41 with multiple hepatitis virus exposure), 82 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 103 healthy adults. Results: In chronic hepatitis B, HGV-RNA was more frequent in patients with HDV infection and/or anti-HCV positivity than in those without (29% vs 6%, p<O.OOOl), mainly in drug addicts (38%). At diagnosis the overall prevalence of any marker (HGV-RNA plus anti-E2) was similar in chronic hepatitis due to HBV alone (17%), in HBsAg carriers (16%) and in healthy adults (17%) and increased to 58% in those exposed to HDV and/or HCV. During 1-1 1 years of follow-up, HGV infection persisted in 70% of patients with chronic hepatitis B. About 40% of HGV persistently coinfected patients underwent sustained biochemical remission, whereas continuing disease activity was observed in 80% of patients who cleared HGV-RNA. Conclusions: In chronic HBV infection the rate of exposure to HGV is similar to that in healthy adults, except for high risk patients. Long lasting HGV coinfection or anti-E2 seroconversion did not modify the course of chronic hepatitis B.Two isolates of a novel RNA virus belonging to the flavivirus family were independently discovered and named hepatitis GB virus-C or hepatitis G virus (HGV) (1-3). HGV is unrelated to other flavivirus members, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the newly described GB-agents A and B. HGV appears to be parenterally transmitted and can cause persistent viraemia. Recently, antibody to E2 (anti-E2), an envelope protein of HGV, has been detected after the loss of HGV-RNA from serum, and thereby is indicative of recovery from HGV infection (4).HGV has been associated with cases of posttransfusion non-A-E hepatitis and community ac-

The Prevalence of Hepatitis G Virus Infection among Hemodialysis and Chronic Hepatitis Patients

“…In HGV mono-infection liver histopathology shows moderate or mild focal portal hepatitis was prevalent with slight periportal infiltration and lobular components being found in single cases, [12] biliary epithelium desquamation, [13] periportal fibrosis, [14] and steatosis [15]. There's also evidence that HGV may play a role in the production of lithogenic bile and in the development of cholelithiasis [16].…”