GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus infection in a hepatitis C virus endemic village: prevalence in residents with low educational attainment and frequent recovery in females

Aims/Background: GB vitus-C/hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a newly identified f lavivirus, which may share the same mode of transmission as hepatitis C vir us (HCV). The aim of this study was to investigate associated factors of HG V infection and clearance in a HCV endemic village in southern Taiwan. Meth ods: Five hundred and ninety-four residents of a village in southern Taiwan were enrolled for hepatitis virus screening. Clinical features were record ed and a questionnaire addressing the possible routes of transmission was f illed in by the participating residents. Results: The prevalence of antibod y to hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B surface antigen in the 594 residents was 70.7% and 19.5% respectively. Of the 399 residents tested for HGV RNA, GB virus-C/ Hepatitis G virus envelop 2 protein (HGV-E2) antibody, and HCV RNA, the prevalence was 13.5%, 25.3%, 53.1% respectively. Multivariate log istic regression analysis showed that low educational attainment was associ ated with HGV infection, old age and low educational attainment were associ ated with HCV infection, and female gender was associated with HGV clearanc e. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were significantly higher for resi dents with HCV infection alone, HBV infection alone, and co-infection of HC V and HBV than for those without HBV, HCV, and HGV infection. There were no differences in ALT values between subjects with HGV infection alone and th ose without I-IBV, HCV, and HGV infections. Residents with co-infection of HGV and HBV, or HGV and HCV had ALT values similar to those with HBV or HCV infection alone. Conclusion: HGV infection is common in the HCV endemic vi llage. The transmission of HGV is closely related to low educational attain ment. HGV clearance is frequently encountered in females. Go-infection of H GV does not compound hepatocellular inflammation.