HEPATITIS-G VIRUS COINFECTION IN HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTED LIVER-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Background. In this study, we determined the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in endstage hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liv er disease and examined the influence of HGV coinfection on the outcom e of liver transplantation. Methods. HGV was detected by reverse trans criptase-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting in sera drawn from 159 patients who were known to be HCV infected before transplant ation. Patients were followed up for a mean of 28.4 months after trans plantation. Results. Forty-one (25.3%) patients were HGV positive and the prevalence of HGV infection was similar for different HCV genotype s. Both HGV-positive and -negative groups had similar survival, recurr ence rates, inflammatory activity scores, and degree of fibrosis at th e time of recurrence. Conclusion. Infection with HGV is common in ends tage HCV-infected patients presenting for liver transplantation. It in fluences neither the outcome of liver transplantation nor the recurren ce of hepatitis in the graft.