Prevalence and significance of hepatitis GB virus-c/hepatitis G virus viremia in a large cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection, with chronic hepatitis C infection, and on renal replacement therapy in Hong Kong

Dig Dis Sci. 2002 Feb;47(2):432-7. doi: 10.1023/a:1013750928982.

Abstract

A total of 455 patients were recruited to study the prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus viremia in Hong Kong. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus- and hepatitis C virus-infected patients compared to that of controls (1.56% and 7.14%, respectively, vs 3.85%, both P = NS). Renal patients as a whole had a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia compared to that of controls (13.95% vs 3.85%, P = 0.0271). The duration of the replacement therapy, especially for patients with peritoneal dialysis was associated with a higher chance of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia. Among renal patients, renal transplanted patients had the highest prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viraemia (19.1%) probably because of a higher susceptibility as a result of immunosuppression. However, hepatitis GB virus-C viraemia did not cause liver biochemistry derangement in renal transplanted patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Flaviviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • GB virus C*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology*
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Renal Replacement Therapy*
  • Viremia / epidemiology*
  • Viremia / virology