[Hepatitis G--2 years after its discovery]

The review article summarizes up-to-now identified properties and clinical impact of new hepatotropic virus--hepatitis G virus (HGV, GBV). From its discovery by Simons in 1995 the possible role in high number of cryptogenic hepatitis is intensively studied. Cryptogenic hepatitis represents 20-25% of all chronic hepatitis cases in the USA. HGV is a single strain RNA virus of flaviviruses group. According to nucleotides sequence is the virus a distant relative of hepatitis C virus. The results of previous studies suggest that the HGV virus is more a lymphotropic than a hepatotropic virus. The prevalence of chronic HGV infection in accordance with geographical differences ranges from 0.4 to 4.9%. Risk groups with highest HGV positivity are intravenous drugs abusers, promiscuous persons, repeated transfusion patients. Proven routes of transmission involve parenteral and sexual transmission, vertical transmission can not be excluded. On the basis of available information mild course of the disease with minimal transaminases elevation is anticipated. Clinical studies have revealed rapid healing, late recovery and also the transition into chronic form. Recent scientific interest is focused on clinical severity of the infection and co-infection with other hepatotropic viruses assessment. Diagnostic of HGV is possible with reverse transcription using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or enzyme immunoassay identifying the anti-E2 protein. The effects of interferon will be evaluated after termination of large clinical studies. (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 15.)