Antibodies to the E2 protein of GB virus C hepatitis G virus: Prevalence and risk factors in different populations in Italy

Background: Many aspects of the epidemiology of GB virus C/hepatitis G viru s (GBV-C) infection have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this stu dy was to assess the prevalence of GBV-C antibodies and risk factors in dif ferent subjects Living in Italy. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,005 sera were tested for the presence o f antibodies to the of GBV-C E2 protein using a recently developed enzyme i mmunoassay, Results: A high prevalence of GBV-C antibodies was found in healthy blood d onors (12.6%), Hemodialysis patients and drug users showed higher rates of GBV-C seropositivity (22% and 39%, respectively). Immigrants from sub-Sahar an Africa and South Asia had anti-GBV-C prevalence comparable to that found in Italian blood donors, whereas higher and Lower rates were detected in i mmigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean (19.5%) and from Mediterrane an Africa (5.6%), Conclusion: GBV-C infections are widespread in the general population in It aly and particularly common in risk groups. The different prevalence of GBV -C antibodies detected in third world immigrants is Likely to reflect the p revalence in the countries of origin, However, the observation that the Len gth of residency in Italy is a significant risk factor may suggest that at Least some GBV-C infections are contracted in Italy.