ASYMPTOMATIC HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-INFECTION IN BLOOD-DONORS

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis G virus (HGV) has been reported in patients with fulminant hepatitis and aplastic anemia, but HGV RNA has also been fo und in healthy individuals. The possible associations of HGV with live r function and hematologic abnormalities in asymptomatic blood donors were investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum HGV RNA was determi ned in 200 repeat donors (Group A), 44 subjects with elevated alanine aminotransferase (Group B), and 54 hepatitis C virus carriers (Group C ). Liver histology was evaluated in Group C by using the histologic ac tivity index. RESULTS: HGV RNA was detected in three subjects of Group A (1.5%; 95% CI: 0.3-4.3), two of Group B (4.5%; 95% Ci: 0.6-15.5%), and six of Group C (11.1%; 95% CI: 4.2-22.6). The prevalence of leukop enia and elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was higher in the 11 v iremic donors than in 88 nonviremic subjects (36% vs. 2.3%, and 55% vs . 22%, respectively; p<0.05), matched for clinical and demographic cha racteristics. The mean histologic activity index score +/- standard er ror was 4 +/- 0.7 in the HGV RNA-positive donors and 3.4 +/- 0.3 in th e HGV RNA-negative donors. CONCLUSION: HGV is endemic in Italian blood donors, although it has a limited role in causing liver damage. Furth er studies are needed to clarify its role in inducing transfusion-asso ciated disease in myelosuppression.