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Hepatitis GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus infection in liver disease
I Nagata1, N Tzampouras, S Chokshi
1Department of Child Health, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London.
Insights
Hepatitis GB virus-C (HGBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection was found in 3.8% of UK children with liver disease. HGV is not a major cause of childhood liver disease in the UK.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatitis GB virus-C (HGBV-C), also known as hepatitis G virus (HGV), is a significant human pathogen.
- Its role in pediatric liver disease, particularly in the UK, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and potential etiological role of HGBV-C/HGV infection in children with various liver diseases in the UK.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with HGV infection in this pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 106 children (54 boys, 52 girls; mean age 7.3 years) with diagnosed liver conditions were tested for HGV RNA.
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was utilized for HGV RNA detection.
- Patient groups included chronic hepatitis C, hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, fulminant hepatic failure, post-liver transplant dysfunction, cryptogenic liver disease, and autoimmune liver disease.
Main Results:
- HGV RNA was detected in 4 out of 106 children (3.8%).
- Risk factors, such as blood transfusion or medical treatment in Eastern Europe, were identified in three infected patients.
- The prevalence in this pediatric group was higher than in blood donors but lower than in adult liver disease patients.
Conclusions:
- HGV infection is present but not highly prevalent in children with liver disease in the UK.
- HGV does not appear to be a major etiological agent for liver disease in UK children.
- The virus is not associated with any specific pediatric liver disease group.
Abstract:
Hepatitis GB virus-C (HGBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection was investigated in 106 children with liver disease (54 boys and 52 girls, mean age 7.3 years); 12 with chronic hepatitis C virus infection, 29 with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, nine with idiopathic fulminant hepatic failure, seven with graft dysfunction after liver transplantation associated with autoimmune features, 20 with cryptogenic liver disease, and 29 with autoimmune liver disease. HGV RNA detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was found to be positive in 4/106 patients (3.8%). Risk factors were identified in three patients, including blood transfusion and/or medical treatment in Eastern Europe. The prevalence was higher than that of blood donors but lower than that of 2 adult patients with liver disease. HGV is not associated with any specific disease group and does not seem to be a major aetiological agent of liver disease in childhood in the UK.