Background/Aims: The role of the hepatitis GB virus C in chronic liver
disease is unclear. The clinical findings, results of laboratory test
s, pathological findings, and outcome after liver resection for hepato
cellular carcinoma in patients infected or not infected with GB virus
C were compared. Methods: Serum samples from 213 patients were tested
for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and GB virus C. Of the 213 p
atients, 159 had hepatitis C viral RNA or antibodies (group 1), seven
had both hepatitis C viral RNA or antibodies and hepatitis B surface a
ntigen (group 2), 25 had hepatitis B surface antigen (group 3), and 22
did not have hepatitis C viral RNA, hepatitis C antibodies, or hepati
tis B surface antigen (group 4). Results: GB virus C RNA was detected
in 12 of the 213 patients, Of the 12 patients, 11 were in group 1 and
one was in group 4, There were no patients with hepatocellular carcino
ma associated with GB virus C RNA alone. In groups 1 and 4, there were
no differences in clinical findings, results of laboratory tests, pat
hological findings, or outcome after surgery in patients with and with
out GB virus C RNA. Conclusions: These results indicate a poor associa
tion of GB virus C viremia with hepatocellular carcinoma. We did not f
ind clinically significant interaction between hepatitis C virus and G
B virus C.