Relation between GB virus C/hepatitis G virus and fulminant hepatic failure may be secondary to treatment with contaminated blood and/or blood products

Background-The role of the recently discovered GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) has been debated. Although GBV- C RNA has been detected in many cases of FHF, recent data suggest that the relation between GBV-C and FHF may be accidental. Aims-To retrospectively investigate the possible relation between the prese nce of GBV-C markers (RNA or antibodies to the GBV-C envelope 2 (E2) glycop rotein) and FHF. Methods-The presence of GBV-C RNA was determined in serum samples from 58 p atients diagnosed with FHF using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain r eaction. Amplified genetic fragments were directly sequenced by the dideoxy chain termination method. Antibodies to GBV-C in serum samples were detect ed by enzyme immunoassay based on recombinant GBV-C E2 protein. Results-Nine (16%) patients with FHF had GBV-C RNA and 14 (24%) had GBV-C E 2 antibodies, which are higher frequencies than in healthy subjects (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). Seven of ten patients with GBV-C markers during FHF tested negative for these markers before therapy with blood and/or bloo d products. Sequence analysis of the GBV-C NS3 region fragments of six FHF patients showed no common sequence pattern or motif. Conclusions-The frequencies of both GBV-C RNA and antibodies are higher in patients with FHF than in healthy subjects. However, these increased freque ncies may in many cases be explained by the use of contaminated blood and/o r blood products given as therapy.