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[Infection with hepatitis GB virus C in intravenous drug abusers with type C chronic liver diseases]
M Kojima1, K Kanazawa, T Hakamada
1Aikawa Internal Hospital.
Insights
Hepatitis GB virus C (HGBV-C) RNA is frequently detected in patients with chronic liver disease, especially those who abuse intravenous drugs and have hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. This suggests HGBV-C is commonly transmitted among this population.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are prevalent in intravenous drug abusers.
- Hepatitis GB virus C (HGBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) is associated with non-A-E hepatitis.
- Understanding coinfection transmission is crucial for public health.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of HGBV-C RNA in patients with chronic liver disease, specifically focusing on transmission routes.
- To investigate the association between HGBV-C infection and intravenous drug abuse in the context of HCV coinfection.
Summary:
- HGBV-C RNA was detected in 11.6% of 189 patients with chronic liver diseases using polymerase chain reaction.
- Prevalence was higher in patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse (22.7-25.0%), suggesting frequent transmission via this route.
- Results indicate HGBV-C is commonly transmitted among intravenous drug abusers coinfected with HCV.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant role of intravenous drug abuse in HGBV-C transmission.
- Informs strategies for preventing viral hepatitis coinfections in at-risk populations.
- Contributes to the understanding of blood-borne viral hepatitis epidemiology.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus(HBV), hepatitis C virus(HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infections are common among intravenous drug abusers, with a global distribution. The recently discovered hepatitis GB virus C(HGBV-C)/hepatitis G virus(HGV) has been linked to blood-borne non-A-E hepatitis. HGBV-C RNA was determined by the polymerase chain reaction with primers deduced from a helicase-like region in 189 patients with type C chronic liver diseases. Overall, HGBV-C RNA was detected in 22(11.6%) patients. The prevalence of HGBV-C RNA was estimated according to the suspected transmission routes(blood transfusion, intravenous drug abuse, tattooing and unknown) of HCV. 22.7-25.0% of type C hepatitis patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse were positive for HGBV-C RNA. These results indicate that HGBV-C is transmitted frequently in intravenous drug abusers coinfected with HCV.