GB VIRUS-C HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-INFECTION IN AN AREA ENDEMIC FOR VIRAL-HEPATITIS, CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE, AND LIVER-CANCER/

Background & Aims: GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) is a newly identified flavivirus, and little is known about its clinical signifi cance. GBV-C/HGV was investigated in different populations, and its co infection was investigated in patients with liver disease in Taiwan wh ere hepatitis B and C are endemic. Methods: Viral RNA was studied in 7 0 high-risk individuals, 20 patients with chronic non-B, non-C hepatit is, 13 with non-A-E fulminant hepatitis, 100 with asymptomatic hepatit is B surface antigen carriage, 120 with hepatitis B surface antigen-po sitive chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, 100 patient s with chronic hepatitis C, and 100 healthy adults. Results: GBV-C/HGV infection was more frequent in high-risk groups (15%-30%) and hepatit is C virus carriers (10%) than in healthy adults (1%) and hepatitis B virus carriers (3.2%). Eighty-three percent of those infected had unde rgone blood transfusions previously. The prevalence in hepatitis B vir us carriers increased with the severity of liver disease, being 1% in asymptomatic carriers and 10% in hepatocellular carcinoma. In chronic hepatitis 0, clinical and virological data were comparable between tho se with and without coinfection. Conclusions: In Taiwan, GBV-C/HGV inf ection is common in high-risk groups, and its coinfection seems to not aggravate the course of chronic hepatitis B or C.