Background: Human Pegivirus (HPgV), previously called Hepatitis G virus or GB virus C, is an RNA virus. It can be transmitted vertically (mother to infant), parenterally and sexually. HPgV share common routes of transmission to other viruses such as Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) thus co-infection is usually observed. Risk groups of HPgV include injection drug users, HIV-positive individuals, multi-transfused patients, hemodialysis patients, hemophiliacs, chronic liver disease patients and organ transplant recipients. The clinical significance of HPgV is not yet established and warrants further studies. Research on HPgV in the Philippines is scarce and has not been updated for over 10 years. There is no published data on HPgV prevalence in Filipino pediatric population specifically among risk groups like multi-transfused children with decompensated liver disease secondary to biliary cirrhosis and liver transplant pediatric patients. The lack of local data warrants conduct of this study. Objective: To determine the presence of HPgV RNA, HPgV E2 antibody (anti-E2) and HBsAg among Filipino children with decompensated liver disease secondary to biliary cirrhosis (DBC) and liver transplant pediatric patients (LTP). Methods: Included were 15 children with DBC and 15 LTP recruited from the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition of the UP PGH. All patients’ sera were tested for HPgV RNA by Real Time RT-PCR, HPgV anti-E2 by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by immunochromatographic test. Twenty age and sex matched children with no history of liver disease and blood transfusion served as controls. Results: All patient and control samples were negative for HPgV RNA. HPgV anti-E2 was detected in 6 of 15 LTP, 5 of 15 DBC and 1 of 20 controls. HBsAg was detected in 2 of 15 LTP, 5 of 15 DBC and 0 of 20 controls. Four patients (two LTP, two DBC) were positive for both HPgV anti-E2 and HBsAg. Conclusion This study showed that a proportion of liver transplant patients and those with decompensated biliary cirrhosis are positive for HPgV anti-E2, which indicates that these individuals previously had HPgV infection but is now resolved. Possible source of infection is infected blood from the blood transfusions, infected transplant organ or infected mother. Since routine HPgV screening is not yet recommended for the general population, blood donors and organ donors, the confirmation of exact source of infection may be difficult. Co-infection with HBsAg was also observed in both risk groups which suggests that at some point in time, these children were infected by both HPgV and HBV and also the possibility of simultaneous infection by the two viruses. This study provides preliminary data on the proportion of HPgV infection in Filipino children belonging to two of the HPgV risk groups. Studies with a larger and more significant sample size to determine HPgV prevalence as well as studies regarding the pathogenicity of HPgV are warranted. As this may provide basis for routine HPgV screening among risk groups and blood donations in the future.
GB virus C

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; GB virus C ; classification ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis G virus(HGV) is known to be associated with non-A-E hepatitis but pathogenic relevance and mode of transmission are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the prevalence and clinical implicati ons of HGV infection in patients on hemodialysis or being treated for hematologic disease, and healthy controls. METHODS: HGV RNA was identified in serum by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) with nested primers deduced from highly conserved area of the 5'-untranslated region. Other parenterally transmissible hepatitis viral markers(HBsAg and anti-HCV) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT), history of transfusion, duration of hemodialysis were assessed. RESULTS: HGV RNA was detected in 12.5%(8 of 64) of the patients on hemodialysis and in 24.1%(14 of 58) of the patients treated for hematologic disease, as compared with 0.8%(1 of 120) of healthy controls(P<0.05). HBsAg, anti-HCV, ALT level, rate of transfusion history and duration of hemodialysis were not significantly different between HGV-infected patients and non-HGV-infected patients. In patients treated for hematologic disease, sex was significantly different between HGV positive and negative groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on hemodialysis and being treated for hematologic disease have increased risk for HGV infection, but there was no clinical difference between HGV RNA positive and negative groups. HGV infection itself does not seem to be a frequent cause of liver disease in these patients. The clinical significance of long-term infection with HGV remains to be established.
Alanine ; GB virus C* ; Hematologic Diseases ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Prevalence* ; Renal Dialysis ; RNA

We examined the hepatitis G virus infections among 227 Koreans who were healthy or were suspected of hepatitis and determined the phylogenetic relationship based on a part of the NS-5 region of 5 positive samples. Viral RNA was extracted from sera and cDNA was synthesized and subsequently amplified by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) or RT-nested PCR using random hexamer and NS-5 specific primers (470-20-1-77F, 470-20-1-211R, HGVNESTFO, HGVNESTRE). Five positives were found to belong to samples of patients showing symptoms of viral hepatitis. Primers used for PCR or nested PCR were derived from the NS-5 region. On the other hand, no amplification was detected using primers derived from the 5'-NCR (G-146F, G-401R). We performed TA cloning and sequencing of 5 amplified fragments, and their sequences were compared with those of foreign isolates of HGV. The phylogenetic analysis using MegAlign programme of DNAstar has shown that the Korean isolates are clustered on the phylogenetic tree. In summary, we confirmed the hepatitis G virus infection in 5 cases out of 12 patients showing the symptoms of viral hepatitis. The phylogenetic analysis of sequences of 5 amplified fragments showed that their relations to each other were closer than those to the foreign HGV isolates reported.
Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; DNA, Complementary ; GB virus C* ; Hand ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral

OBJECTIVETo study the pathogenic effect of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection on hepatic failure.

METHODSUsing the RT-PCR and EIA techniques to detect HGV RNA and anti-HGV in sera of hepatic failure patients and compare them with their liver function and mortality rates.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference about the positive rates of HGV among acute hepatic failure, subacute hepatic failure and chronic hepatic failure groups (X(2)=2.54, P>0.05). The level of ALT in HGV-positive group was slightly lower than that in HGV-negative group. The concentration of bilirubin and globulin was higher in HGV-positive group than HGV-negative group, and the concentration of albumin in HGV-positive group was significantly lower than that in HGV-negative group (t=2.59, P<0.05). The mortality rate in HGV-positive group was significantly lower than that in HGV-negative group (X(2)=4.68, 0.01

CONCLUSIONSThe virulence of HGV is mild, and the HGV infection does not aggravate hepatic failure.

Adult ; Female ; Flaviviridae Infections ; complications ; GB virus C ; pathogenicity ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo realize human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) and hepatitis C virus(HCV) super-infected with hepatitis G virus(HGV or GBV/C) and to probe into the mechanism of these virus infection in the body.

METHODSHIV and HCV load were tested by the quantitated RT-PCR in the HIV or HCV infected plasma samples respectively and the HGV RNA was detected in all of the samples. Then some of the HGV positive were sequenced.

RESULTS123 of 317 HIV patients were positive for HGV, the positive rate was 38.8%. Among the 91 HCV patients, 19 were positive for HGV. The positive rate is 20.9% which was less than that of HIV patients. HIV load of the patients super-infected with HGV was less than that of those without HGV[(1.8+/-0.6)x10 copies/ml compared with (1.9+/-1.1)x10(2)copies/ml]; while HGV and HCV super-infection did not influence the HCV RNA load significantly [(1.5+/-0.6)x10(4) copies/ml compared with (5.4+/-1.8)x10(4)copies/ml]. The HGV sequences from HIV or HCV patients were compared and showed no difference markedly.

CONCLUSIONThe rate of the HIV and HGV super-infection is higher than that of HCV. HGV may inhibit HIV reproduction in the body while superinfection.

GB virus C ; HIV ; physiology ; HIV Infections ; virology ; Hepacivirus ; physiology ; Hepatitis C ; virology ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; virology ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Virus Replication

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.
Blood Transfusion ; GB virus C ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Liver ; Renal Dialysis* ; RNA

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a single-strand RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family, it was recently identified from the plasma of a patient with chronic hepatitis. HOV infection may cause acute and chronic liver disease by blood transfusion, drug addicts, hemophilia, and multiple sexual partners. But clinical significance of infectious pathway is still unclear. In this report, we amplified HGV RNA by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) by primers within the highly conserved 5'-noncoding region (NCR) and used restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method for the polymorphism analysis of amplified HGV gene. HGV was shown to be present in 7 of 78 (9.0%) from HCV RT-PCR positive serum samples and 5 of 58 (8.6%) from HCV RT-PCR negative serum samples. From the RFLP method HGV divided into four genotypes in 12 positive samples. Therefore, HGV genotype was distributed at least four different types in Korea.
Blood Transfusion ; Drug Users ; Flaviviridae ; GB virus C* ; Genotype ; Hemophilia A ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Plasma ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length* ; RNA ; RNA Viruses ; Sexual Partners

BACKGROUNDTo determine the antigenicity of HGV NS5 recombinant proteins expressed in E.coli.

METHODSHGV NS5a,NS5b and core/NS5b fusion genes were cloned into pThioC vector. Three expression plasmids were transformed into JM109(DE3) competent cells then expressed with induction by IPTG. Western blot and ELISA were used to determine the antigenicity after the three recombinant proteins were purified.

RESULTSAfter identification by restriction enzyme and sequencing, it was confirmed that the expressed was target proteins espected. Purified expression proteins were found strongly immunoreactive among anti HGV positive sera by Western blot and ELISA. Compared with mixed recombinant antigen (including core, NS5a synthetic peptide and NS3 recombinant proteins), in the 22 positive sera detected with mixed antigen, 68%(15/22), 90%(20/22) and 73%(16/22) were positive by P5a,P5b and Pc?5b antigens; In the 70 negative samples with mixed antigen, 7%(5/70), 1%(1/70) and 6%(4/70) were positive by P5a, P5b and Pc?5b antigens. The positive alone was found among RTPCR positive specimen using these recombinant antigens.

CONCLUSIONSNS5 gene expressed in E.coli?which couldn't be covered with other regions of antigens was one of the essential epitopes to HGV immunologic diagnosis.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antigens, Viral ; blood ; Epitopes ; immunology ; GB virus C ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics ; immunology

Infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, can be transmitted via human blood and blood products. Of greatest importance are viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1/2), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), followed by other viruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human parvovirus B19. Viruses such as hepatitis G virus and TT virus can also be transmitted via blood products, but their pathogenicity is still unclear. Bacteria, including Treponema pallidum and Yersinia enterocolitica and parasites such as Plasmodium species can also be transmitted from donors to recipients. Furthermore, the threat of newly emerging pathogens that can affect the blood safety, such as the variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, is always present. The measures to reduce the risks of transfusiontransmitted infection within the last 20 years, such as donor selection and testing donated blood for various infectious agents, have had a remarkable impact on the safety of blood supply. Nevertheless, the public expectation of absolute blood safety continues to exert pressure to eliminate the remaining risks. The recent introduction of molecular biology techniques combined with viral inactivation methods is directed to get this goal.
Bacteria ; Blood Safety ; Cytomegalovirus ; Donor Selection ; GB virus C ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B virus ; HIV ; Humans ; Molecular Biology ; Parasites ; Parvovirus B19, Human ; Plasmodium ; Tissue Donors ; Torque teno virus ; Treponema pallidum ; Virulence ; Virus Inactivation ; Yersinia enterocolitica