HEPATITIS-G - EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL-S IGNIFICANCE

The hepatitis G virus, i.e. GB virus C, is a recently discovered flavi virus that is clearly transmitted by the parenteral route. To date dem onstration has only been possible by PCR. Spread among non-selected bl ood donors is higher than for hepatitis viruses identified to date, an d is estimated at around 2%. The virus is often detected in people at increased risk of parenteral pathogen transmission (injecting drug use rs, HIV patients, haemodialysis patients, haemophiliacs). Co-infection s with the hepatitis G virus occur in about 10-20% of patients with he patitis B and C. The clinical significance of a hepatitis G infection is still unclear.