OBJECTIVETo observe the serological features of hepatitis G virus (HGV or GBV) in selected population of Shaanxi, Qinghai and Xinjiang Provinces (region).

METHODSEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine IgG antibody against GBV (anti-GBV IgG) in serum specimens of 1469 individuals from the 3 provinces (region).

RESULTSThe positivity rate of serum GBV-IgG antibody in ethnic minorities (4.11% in Tibetan, 5.36% in Mongolian, 4.55% in Uigur, 4.00% in Hui population) was slightly higher than that in Han population (1.36%-1.73%), but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). The positivity rate of serum GBV-IgG antibody in drug abusers (11.30%, 34/301) was remarkably higher than that of the normal population (2.44%,18/736) (P<0.01). The positivity rate of serum GBV-IgG antibody in blood donors was 1.02%-7.68%.

CONCLUSIONSThe positivity rates of serum GBV-IgG antibody among ethnic groups in the 3 provinces (region) had no significant differences; blood-borne transmission seemed to be an important transmission route of GBV, therefore supervision of blood donors and drug abusers should be intensified.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flaviviridae Infections ; epidemiology ; transmission ; GB virus C ; immunology ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Substance-Related Disorders ; virology