PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-G VIRUS-RNA IN THE SERA OF PATIENTS WITH HIV-INFECTION

Objective: The routes of transmission of the hepatitis G virus (HGV) a re similar to those responsible for infection with HIV. We sought to e valuate the prevalence of HGV RNA in the sera of HN-infected patients. Methods: The sera of 157 HIV-infected patients were assayed by revers e transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using established p rimers for HGV. Patients were divided into group 1 (positive circulati ng hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]), group 2 (positive anti-hepati tis C virus [HCV] antibody) and group 3 (without markers for HBV or HC V), Results: The overall prevalence of HGV RNA was 22%; prevalence was higher in group 1 (49%) than in groups 2 (16%) or 3 (7%). Patients wi th positive HGV RNA had laboratory values similar to HGV RNA-negative patients except for higher CD4 counts. Patients with an estimated risk duration of less than or equal to 14 years were more likely to be HGV RNA-positive than patients at risk for >15 pears. HGV RNA was found a s frequently in patients with a homosexual lifestyle as in injection d rug users (IDU). Multivariable analysis showed that the presence of HB sAg was the strongest factor associated with the presence of HGV RNA i n serum. Conclusions: Patients with HIV and HBV coinfection are signif icantly more likely to be HGV RNA-positive. Patients with a risk facto r duration for >15 years were less likely to be HGV RNA-positive, poin ting to a decrease in HGV RNA prevalence over time. This study support s the notion that homosexual lifestyle, in addition to injection drug usage and blood product transfusion, is a risk factor far HGV infectio n.