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GB virus C infection in children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus infection

Susan Schuval1, Jane C Lindsey, Jack T Stapleton

  • 1Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY 11042, USA. schuval@lij.edu

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|May 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

GB virus C (GBV-C) infection is less common in children with perinatal HIV than in adults. While some evidence suggests potential benefits, further research is needed to confirm improved HIV outcomes in coinfected children.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatric HIV/AIDS

Background:

  • GB virus C (GBV-C) coinfection in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is linked to better HIV disease progression.
  • Prevalence and impact of GBV-C in vertically HIV-infected children remain less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of GBV-C infection in children with perinatal HIV.
  • To explore potential associations between GBV-C coinfection and HIV disease outcomes in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional prevalence survey conducted on a cohort of perinatally HIV-infected children.
  • Testing for GBV-C viremia using GBV-C RNA assay.
  • Screening for past GBV-C infection via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies to GBV-C envelope protein E2 (E2 Ab).

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of GBV-C viremia was 5.7% and past infection (E2 Ab) was 3.4% among 354 children.
  • GBV-C viremic children were older and had lower CD4 counts compared to those without GBV-C infection.
  • No significant evidence of improved HIV disease outcome was observed in coinfected children, though the sample size was limited.

Conclusions:

  • GBV-C prevalence is lower in perinatally HIV-infected children compared to HIV-infected adults.
  • Limited evidence suggests GBV-C viremic children may have had fewer severe HIV disease events (CDC category C) prior to testing.
  • Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to elucidate the impact of GBV-C coinfection on HIV disease progression in children.
Abstract

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