[Hepatitis G virus (HGBV-C/HGV) as a putative agent for non-A to E hepatitis]

Recently, a possible agent for non-A to E hepatitis, designated hepatitis GB virus C (HGBV-C) or hepatitis G virus (HGV), has been discovered; HGBV-C and HGV are considered separate isolates of the same virus and responsible for a common, persistent, transfusion-transmissible infection. Although the vast majority of HGBV-C/HGV infections are not associated with hepatic injuries and the presence of HGBV-C/HGV infection had no apparent effect on the clinical course of coexistent hepatitis C, the viral RNA has been reported in some patients with chronic hepatitis or fulminant hepatitis of a non-A to E etiology. At present we cannot draw definitive conclusions regarding the course and outcome of all individuals infected with HGBV-C/HGV alone. More extensive studies are required before HGBV-C/HGV can be regarded as a passenger virus.