Molecular Analysis of Human Pegivirus (GBV-C) Infecting Hemodialysis Patients in Baghdad, Iraq: A Single Center Study

Abstract

Patients undergoing hemodialysis are at an increased risk of contracting viral infections. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of GBV-C infections and to evaluate their clinical importance in hemodialysis patients. This one center cross-section study was carried out for 100 patients attending Al-Kindy center for hemodialysis in Baghdad, Iraq. Serum samples were tested by reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR) for GBV-C detection and for liver function evaluation. GBV-C RNA was detected in 35% of hemodialysis patients, 17/48 (35.4%) in HCV positive patients, while 18/52 (34.6%) without HCV. GBV-C infection had no significant association with HCV status among hemodialysis patients, and also no significant association with age, sex and liver enzyme. Patients who have GBV-C have a much longer hemodialysis period than those who do not have GBV-C. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that ten GBV-C local isolates were related to GBV-C genotype 2; however, two pairs of the local isolates were completely identical (100%), which could be an indicator for nosocomial transmission among hemodialysis unit. In conclusion, GBV-C did not seem to contribute to increasing the level of liver enzyme or the severity of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients, and so mandatory screening for GBV-C is not recommended for hemodialysis patients at this time.