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Biochemical and histological features of hepatitis G virus infection
M Kobayashi1, K Chayama, M Fukuda
1Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection shows milder biochemical and histological liver changes compared to hepatitis C virus (HCV). HGV infection is characterized by low serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and less inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a significant human pathogen.
- Understanding HGV's impact on liver health is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common, complicating clinical presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the distinct biochemical and histological features of HGV infection.
- To compare HGV-only infection with HGV/HCV co-infection and HCV-only infection.
- To identify specific markers differentiating HGV from HCV liver pathology.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of three patient groups: HGV-only, HGV + HCV, and HCV-only.
- Biochemical analysis including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP).
- Histological assessment of liver fibrosis, periportal inflammation, and total histological activity index.
Main Results:
- HGV-only group exhibited significantly lower serum ALT levels and a higher gamma-GTP/ALT ratio.
- Periportal inflammation and histological activity were significantly reduced in the HGV-only group.
- Characteristic histological findings in HGV infection included portal tract fibrosis without lymphoid infiltration and thin fibrous septa.
Conclusions:
- HGV infection is associated with mild biochemical and histological liver abnormalities.
- The liver pathology of HGV infection differs markedly from that of HCV infection.
- No significant differences in liver parameters were observed between the HGV + HCV and HCV-only groups.
Abstract:
To assess the biochemical and histological characteristics of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection, we examined four patients who were infected with HGV only (HGV group), and compared them with 16 patients infected with both HGV and hepatitis C virus (HCV; HGV + HCV group) and 18 patients infected with HCV only (HCV group). Biochemical examination showed a significantly low level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the HGV group, and that the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP)/ALT ratio in the same group was significantly higher than in the other two groups. Although all three patient groups had a similar degree of liver fibrosis, both the degree of periportal inflammation and total histological activity index were significantly lower in the HGV group than in the other two groups. Fibrous enlargement of the portal tract without lymphoid infiltration and thin fibrous septa was characteristically observed in the HGV group. No significant difference was found between the HGV + HCV group and HCV group. Our results suggest that biochemical and histological changes in HGV infection are very mild and quite different from those of HCV infection.