DETECTION OF GBV-C RNA IN PATIENTS WITH NON-A-E FULMINANT-HEPATITIS BY REVERSE-TRANSCRIPTION POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

GBV-C might be a causative agent of fulminant hepatitis of unknown eti ology, Fulminant hepatitis is an indication for liver transplantation. However, in Japan, because of the legal difficulties associated with cadaveric donation, patients with fulminant hepatitis are still treate d by plasmapheresis and multiple transfusions of fresh frozen plasma, So, the possibility that GBV-C might be transmitted by transfusions af ter the onset of fulminant hepatitis is real, Therefore, we have exami ned the possible role of GBV-C in non-A-E fulminant hepatitis, Nine pa tients with non-A-E fulminant hepatitis and one with non-A-E late onse t hepatic failure were examined, Sera were obtained from the patients at admission before any blood or blood products were given, and again after transfusions. GBV-C RNA was detected by nested reverse transcrip tion polymerase chain reaction with primers based on the reported sequ ence, GBV-C RNA was negative in all 10 pretransfusion patients with no n-A-E fulminant hepatitis or late onset hepatic failure, Then, fresh f rozen plasma was transfused to these patients, and four of them became seropositive, GBV-C is unlikely to be a major etiologic agent for non -A-E fulminant hepatitis in Japan.