INFLUENCE OF HIV-1 INFECTION ON GBV-C INFECTION IN MULTIPLY INFECTED HEMOPHILIC PATIENTS

Two hundred thirteen haemophilic patients were studied for the presenc e of GBV-C RNA and anti-E2 anti bodies soon after their fi rst treatme nt with unsterilised factor concentrates and in their most recent samp le. An assessment was made to determine whether coinfection with HIV h ad any effect on the progression of GBV-C infection. All of the patien ts were infected with HCV and 81 patients (37%) were also infected wit h HIV. GBV-C RNA was detected using the Abbott LCx(TM) assay and by RT -PCR. Anti-E2 antibodies were detected using the mu PLATE Anti-HGenv a ssay and by Abbott Laboratories. The HIV-negative patients were more l ikely than the HIV-positive patients to lose GBV-C RNA between the two time points. A proportion of the patients lost their anti-E2 antibodi es over the time period, however, the majority of these were HIV-posit ive. Th is study shows that infection with HIV does affect the progres sion of GBV-C infection, however, this effect is little understood as yet. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.