[Causal relationship between GBV-C and fulminant hepatitis]

GBV-C is recently discovered RNA virus which appeared to be member of Flaviviridae. We previously reported the possible involvement of GBV-C in the etiology of fulminant hepatitis(FH). It is still controversial whether GBV-C cause FH. So far, the only reliable tool for the diagnosis of GBV-C is the detection of the viral genome using PCR. Detection of GBV-C in serum of patient with FH dose not necessarily mean that GBV-C is causal virus. Serial quantification of serum GBV-C RNA in patient with FH may reveal a pathogenetic role of GBV-C. Further study is needed to elucidate the relationship between FH and a specific strain of GBV-C.