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Hepatitis G virus infection in hemodialysis patients and its relationship with hepatitis C virus infection

J L Fernandez1, R Valtuille, A Hidalgo

  • 1Department of Clinical Research, Bio Sidus, Buenos Aires, Argentina. j.fernandez@biosidus.co.ar

American Journal of Nephrology
|November 28, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection is common in hemodialysis patients, often linked to transfusions. HGV does not appear to cause chronic hepatitis or elevated ALAT levels in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a significant concern in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • Understanding HGV infection characteristics in HD populations is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of Hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection among hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • To determine the relationship between HGV infection, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection, transfusion history, and ALAT levels in HD patients.

Main Methods:

  • HGV RNA and HCV RNA detection using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 108 HD patients.
  • Patient categorization into four groups based on HGV and HCV RNA status.
  • Analysis of demographic data, transfusion history, and chronic ALAT elevation.

Main Results:

  • HGV RNA was detected in 17.6% of HD patients (19/108), with higher prevalence in unit A.
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was also found in 17.6% of patients, significantly more in unit A than unit B.
  • HGV infection was associated with a history of transfusion and did not correlate with chronic ALAT elevation, suggesting it's not a primary cause of hepatitis in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection is prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients.
  • HGV infection in HD patients is associated with transfusion history and occurs independently of HCV prevalence.
  • HGV infection itself does not appear to be a cause of chronic hepatitis or elevated ALAT levels in hemodialysis patients.

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