NATURAL-HISTORY OF GBV-C HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-INFECTION THROUGH THE FOLLOW-UP OF GBV-C HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-INFECTED BLOOD-DONORS AND RECIPIENTS STUDIED BY RNA-POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION AND ANTI-E2 SEROLOGY

The aims of this study were to determine the outcome and the natural h istory of GBV-C/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection and to establish the frequency of acute or persistent infections in multiply-transfused in dividuals and blood donors, We used a GBV-C/HGV RNA polymerase chain r eaction (PCR) and an assay evidencing antibodies to the envelop protei n E2, which is considered a marker for virus clearance. Among 16 PCR-p ositive recipients, 11 were still positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA at the en d of the study period; six of the 16 recipients were GBV-C/HGV infecte d during the study period and thus had a well-defined date of infectio n. The 16 patients were shown to carry GBV-C/HGV RNA over a mean perio d of 4.4 years, for a mean observational period (defined as the follow -up period since the first sample positive for GBV-C/MGV RNA) of 5.3 y ears, Within the limits of the study period, the patients with a well- defined date of infection were positive for GaV-C/HGV RNA during a mea n period oi: 4.7 years, If defined by the presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA fo r at least 6 months, the persistent infection rate was 100% in this re cipient cahort. Serum anti-E2 antibody was evidenced at least once in five (31.2%) recipients and, except in one case, became detectable aft er the loss of GBV-C/HGV RNA, among the 11 blood donors, all were stil l positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA after a mean follow-up period of 7.7 mont hs, The persistent infection rate was 100% in this donor cohort, Once acquired, the infection to GBV-C/HGV generally tends to persist in imm unocompetent patients. (C) 1997 by The American Society of Hematology.