HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION UNDERGOING LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

Background & Aims: Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is transmissible by blood t ransfusion, but its role in chronic liver disease is unknown, The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HGV infection in pati ents infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) undergoing transplantation and evaluate the effects of HGV coinfection on the course of posttrans plantation HCV infection. Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients in fected with HCV undergoing liver transplantation were studied, Serum s amples were tested for HCV and HGV RNA; HCV RNA was quantitated by bra nched DNA assay, and HCV genotype was determined. Results: The prevale nce of pretransplantation and posttransplantation HGV infection was 24 % and 28%, respectively. Pretransplantation HGV infection was positive ly correlated with posttransplantation HGV infection (P < 0.001), Pret ransplantation clinical features were not different in patients infect ed with HCV with and without HGV infection. Posttransplantation HCV RN A levels were not significantly different in patients with and without HGV coinfection, but HCV genotype 1b was more frequent in patients wi th HGV coinfection. There were no differences in the histological seve rity of posttransplantation liver disease, graft, and patient survival between patients with and without HGV infection, Conclusions: Althoug h HGV coinfection is frequent in patients with end-stage HCV disease u ndergoing liver transplantation, there is no association between the p resence of HGV coinfection and the severity of liver disease posttrans plantation, graft, or patient survival.