The Incidence and Clinical Significance of GB Virus C/hepatitis G Virus Infection in Hemodialysis Patients.
- Author:
Young Ok KIM
1
;
Byung Hun BYUN
;
Chul Woo YANG
;
Yong Soo KIM
;
Young Min PARK
;
Euy Jin CHOI
;
Yoon Sik CHANG
;
Byung Kee BANG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Hemodialysis;
Hepatitis;
GB virus;
Hepatitis G virus
- MeSH:
Blood Transfusion;
GB virus C;
Hepacivirus;
Hepatitis;
Hepatitis B;
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens;
Hepatitis, Chronic;
Humans;
Incidence*;
Liver;
Renal Dialysis*;
RNA
- From:Korean Journal of Nephrology
1998;17(1):98-103
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The incidence and clinical significance of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus(GBV-C/HGV) infection were evaluated in 68 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. GBV-C/HGV RNA was identified in serum by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay with nested primers deduced from a nonstructural region. Hepatitis B surface antigen(by RIA) and anti-hepatitis C(by ELISA) were checked simultaneously. Out of 68 patients, GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected in 5(7.4%), HBsAg in 4 patients(5.9%) and anti-HCV in 15 patients(22%). All 5 patients with positive GBV-C/HGV RNA had a history of blood transfusion. Out of 5 patients with positive GBV-C/HGV RNA, 2 patients were coinfected with hepatitis C virus, who showed chronic hepatitis clinically. Three patients with isolated GBV-C/HGV infection showed normal liver function during last 18 months' period. Between the patients with positive GBV-C/HGV RNA and those with negative GBV- C/HGV RNA, there was no difference in age, sex, duration of hemodialysis and amount of transfusion. Our data suggest that GBV-C/HGV infection may be present, with or without hepatitis C virus infection, in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Although the liver function of patients with isolated GBV-C/ HGV infection was normal, the clinical significance of this new virus remains to be determined.
