Hepatitis G viruses prevalence among different blood donors groups

PURPOSE:Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (Abs) screening on blood do nors has been introduced in France on March Ist, 1990. During the last year s, a new agent named Hepatitis G Virus (HCV) has been described. We have te sted different groups of blood donors with the aim of establishing the prev alence of the HGV. METHODS:Two hundred and forty-three donors negative for anti-HCV Abs, other viral markers and with normal Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) as control [ group 1], 91 with elevated ALT [group 2], 72 with Abs directed against the hepatitis B virus core (Anti-HBc) [group 3], 3 with elevated ALT and anti-H Bc Abs [group 4] and 70 positive for anti-HCV Abs [group 5] were evaluated. HCV-RNA was tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) (Amplicor(R), Roche) and HCV-RNA by in house PCR and Abbott Kit. Anti-HCV Abs were tested with Boehringer and/or Abbott tests. RESULTS : Among group 1, none subject is found HCV-RNA positive. Seven (2.9 %) are HCV viremic and 19 positive for anti-HGV Abs (7.8%). Four (4.4%) and 5 (6.9%) donors were HCV-RNA positive and 15 (16.5%) and 16 (22.2%) anti-H GV Abs positive in group 2 and 3 respectively. In group 4, 2 donors are ant i-HCV Abs positive. Furthermore, in group 5, 52 subjects (74.3%) are HCV-RN A positive and 9 HCV-RNA positive (12.9%). Six donors are viremic for the b oth viruses. Lastly, 26 donors have anti-HGV Abs (37.1%). None subject of t he five groups has both HGV-RNA and anti-HCV Abs. CONCLUSION :The prevalence of HCV-RNA and anti-HCV is high among control do nors. In donors with one or two hepatitis surrogate markers (ALT and /or an ti-HBc Abs), the prevalence of HGV viremia and anti-HCV Abs is increased as well as among donors with HCV infection.