Frequency and genotypic distribution of GB virus C (GBV-C) among Colombian population with Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>GB virus C (GBV-C) is an enveloped positive-sense ssRNA virus belonging to the <it>Flaviviridae </it>family. Studies on the genetic variability of the GBV-C reveals the existence of six genotypes: genotype 1 predominates in West Africa, genotype 2 in Europe and America, genotype 3 in Asia, genotype 4 in Southwest Asia, genotype 5 in South Africa and genotype 6 in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotypic distribution of GBV-C in the Colombian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two groups were analyzed: i) 408 Colombian blood donors infected with HCV (n = 250) and HBV (n = 158) from Bogotá and ii) 99 indigenous people with HBV infection from Leticia, Amazonas. A fragment of 344 bp from the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) was amplified by nested RT PCR. Viral sequences were genotyped by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences from each genotype obtained from GenBank (n = 160). Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among blood donors, from 158 HBsAg positive samples, eight 5.06% (n = 8) were positive for GBV-C and from 250 anti-HCV positive samples, 3.2%(n = 8) were positive for GBV-C. Also, 7.7% (n = 7) GBV-C positive samples were found among indigenous people from Leticia. A phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the following GBV-C genotypes among blood donors: 2a (41.6%), 1 (33.3%), 3 (16.6%) and 2b (8.3%). All genotype 1 sequences were found in co-infection with HBV and 4/5 sequences genotype 2a were found in co-infection with HCV. All sequences from indigenous people from Leticia were classified as genotype 3. The presence of GBV-C infection was not correlated with the sex (p = 0.43), age (p = 0.38) or origin (p = 0.17).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It was found a high frequency of GBV-C genotype 1 and 2 in blood donors. The presence of genotype 3 in indigenous population was previously reported from Santa Marta region in Colombia and in native people from Venezuela and Bolivia. This fact may be correlated to the ancient movements of Asian people to South America a long time ago.</p

INVESTIGATION OF HEPATITIS G VIRUS PREVALENCE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

This study focuses on the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) in hemodialysis patients and blood donors in Denizli (located at Aegean region of Turkey). A total of 100 patients (mean age: 56.8 +/- 13.3 years; 46 female) receiving hemodialysis and 100 blood donors (mean age: 31.3 +/- 8.1 years; 8 female) were included in the study. The presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA was determined in all patients by reverse transcriptase-PCR and the presence of GBV-C/HGV anti-E2 antibodies was determined by a commercial enzyme immunoassay (Diagnostic Automation, INC (R)). Viral RNA positivity was determined in 14 (14%) of the hemodialysis patients and 2 (2%) of the blood donors, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). GBV-C/HGV anti-E2 antibodies were detected in 1 (1%) of the hemodialysis patients and 3 (3%) of the blood donors. Anti-E2 positive patient also revealed positive result for viral RNA. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anti-E2 positivity. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 14% in hemodialysis patients and 5% in blood donors (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of duration of hemodialysis, serum ALT levels, age or gender between GBV-C/HGV positive and negative hemodialysis patients. In conclusion, since hemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of parenteral transmission, they have significantly higher GBV-C/HGV viremia rates and prevalence when compared to blood donors. However, the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV and coexistence between GBV-C/HGV and hepatitis C virus have been decreasing in our region owing to increased hygienic precautions in hemodialysis units, avoidance of unnecessary blood transfusions and more widespread use of erythropoietin

INVESTIGATION OF HEPATITIS G VIRUS PREVALENCE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

This study focuses on the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) in hemodialysis patients and blood donors in Denizli (located at Aegean region of Turkey). A total of 100 patients (mean age: 56.8 +/- 13.3 years; 46 female) receiving hemodialysis and 100 blood donors (mean age: 31.3 +/- 8.1 years; 8 female) were included in the study. The presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA was determined in all patients by reverse transcriptase-PCR and the presence of GBV-C/HGV anti-E2 antibodies was determined by a commercial enzyme immunoassay (Diagnostic Automation, INC (R)). Viral RNA positivity was determined in 14 (14%) of the hemodialysis patients and 2 (2%) of the blood donors, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). GBV-C/HGV anti-E2 antibodies were detected in 1 (1%) of the hemodialysis patients and 3 (3%) of the blood donors. Anti-E2 positive patient also revealed positive result for viral RNA. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anti-E2 positivity. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 14% in hemodialysis patients and 5% in blood donors (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of duration of hemodialysis, serum ALT levels, age or gender between GBV-C/HGV positive and negative hemodialysis patients. In conclusion, since hemodialysis patients are at an increased risk of parenteral transmission, they have significantly higher GBV-C/HGV viremia rates and prevalence when compared to blood donors. However, the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV and coexistence between GBV-C/HGV and hepatitis C virus have been decreasing in our region owing to increased hygienic precautions in hemodialysis units, avoidance of unnecessary blood transfusions and more widespread use of erythropoietin