K. Stark et al., Risk and clearance of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in homosexualmen: A longitudinal study, J MED VIROL, 59(3), 1999, pp. 303-306
The risk and clearance of GB virus type C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) i
nfection was investigated in a cohort of homosexual men (n=180; median foll
ow-up time, 7 years). The interaction between GBV-C/HGV RNA and antibodies
against the E2 region of the virus, and the clinical impact of chronic GBV-
C/HGV infection were studied. GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected by RT-PCR, and E2
antibodies were assessed by an immunoassay. At baseline, 63% of the partici
pants had evidence of previous or current GBV-C/HGV infection. The GBV-C/HG
V incidence rate was 2 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 0.9-3.
8) and was similar to the HIV incidence. The incidence of GBV-C/HGV infecti
on was significantly higher in those reporting unprotected anal intercourse
(3.6 per 100 person-years compared to 0 in the group without such sexual c
ontacts). The occurrence of E2 antibodies was strongly associated with GBV-
C/HGV RNA clearance. A loss of E2 antibodies was observed at a rate of 1.5
per 100 person-years. It was higher among HIV-infected individuals. Chronic
GBV-C/HGV infection was not associated with clinical or biochemical eviden
ce of liver disease. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.