GBV-C HGV INFECTION IN RENAL DIALYSIS AND TRANSPLANT PATIENTS/

Background, Recently a new human virus (GBV-C/HGV) was identified. Wit h the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the possibility of a high prevalence of the GBV-C/HGV infection in haemodialysis patients w as demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to use a combination of the PCR and a new diagnostic test for antibodies to the viral enve lope protein E2 to assess the prevalence of the GBV-C/HGV infection in German patients with renal failure. Methods. RT-PCR and ELISA were us ed to detect GBV-C/HGV RNA and antiviral antibodies (anti-E2) in the s era of 31 patients on a maintenance haemodialysis (HD)), 25 patients o n a peritoneal dyalisis (CAPD), and 92 renal transplant patients (RT). Results. A statistical trend was noted for a higher rate of the GBV-C /HGV RNA in the whole group of patients with renal failure (11.5%) tha n in the control group of organ donors (5.5%); The difference between GBV-C/HGV RNA prevalence in RT patients (15.2%) and in organ donors (5 .5%) was found to be significant. Anti-E2, which are considered as an indicator of a past GBV-C/HGV infection, were detected in 12.9% of HD patients, in 20.0% of CAPD patients, in 10.9% of RT patients, in 11.1% of organ donors, and in 10.9% of blood donors. These differences were not significant. Time on haemodialysis was significantly longer in GB V-C/HGV infected patients compared to uninfected patients and all pati ents with the GBV-C/HGV RNA have a history of blood transfusions. Conc lusions. Patients with renal failure treated with dialysis or subjecte d to renal transplantation are at increased risk of aquiring the GBV-C /HGV infection. Higher rates of the GBV-C/HGV RNA and a similar preval ence of anti-E2 in patients with renal failure as compared to donors s uggest that the rate of GBV-C/HGV infection resolution in immunosuppre ssed patients with renal failure might be lower than in immunocompeten t patients.