Virus-like particles in a case of acute hepatitis with human GB virus-C viraemia

Background/Aims It is still controversial whether the human GB virus-C can cause liver injury, as in situ demonstration of the virus is still inconclu sive. Methods Here we describe the case report of a patient with two episodes of severe acute hepatitis, who had a meticulous clinical, immunological and mi crobiological work-up, including human GB virus-C RNA detection by in situ hybridization and electron microscopy. Results Human GB virus-C viraemia was found as the only potential cause of hepatitis in this patient. Furthermore, virus-like particles could be demon strated in the cytoplasm of single hepatocytes by electron microscopy and h uman GB virus-C RNA was detected in the liver by in situ hybridization. Conclusion The presence of human GB virus-C RNA in serum together with the demonstration of human GB virus-C RNA in the liver, favour acute human GB v irus-C infection as the cause of liver injury in this patient. Thus virus-l ike particles and hepatic human GB virus-C RNA should be specifically looke d for by electron microscopy and in situ hybridization, especially during t he diagnostic work-up of patients with unexplained hepatitis. Eur J Gastroe nterol Hepatol 13:195-198 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.