GB VIRUS-C (GBV-C) HEPATITIS-G VIRUS (HGV) INFECTION IN A HEPATITIS-CVIRUS HYPER-ENDEMIC AREA IN JAPAN

An epidemiologic study was performed to investigate GBV-C/HGV infectio n in 460 inhabitants of H town where hepatitis C virus (HCV) is hyper endemic. GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected by reverse transcription hemi-nest ed polymerase chain reaction (RT-hemi-nested PCR) for the 5' untransla ted region (5'-UTR). The nucleotide sequences of GBV-C/ HGV 5'-UTR wer e determined and phylogenetic analysis was performed. GBV-C/HGV RNA, a ntibody to HCV (anti-HCV), and HCV RNA were detected in 12 (2.6%), 108 (23.5%), and 87 of subjects (18.9%), respectively. The phylogenetic t ree analysis indicated that the 12 GBV-C/HGV-positive isolates could b e classified as a new GBV-C/HGV group (type 3). No intraspousal transm ission of GBV-C/HGV was observed. Four subjects positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA without HCV RNA had normal mean aminotransferase concentration. T his study indicated: I, the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was lower than tha t of HCV; 2, Type 3 GBV-C/HGV was the most prevalent; 3. No intraspous al transmission of GBV-C/HGV was observed; and 4, GBV-C/HGV alone may not cause severe liver injury. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.