Detection of GB Virus-C/Hepatitis G Virus RNA in Serum by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction

Three PCR methods based on the GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) 5′UTR and NS3 genomic region were used for the detection of GBV-C/HBV RNA in serum of 62 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Ten of 62 (16%) patients were found to have GBV-C/HGV RNA, which was confirmed by sequence analysis of the 5′UTR PCR amplicon. All methods appear to be specific, but methods based on the 5′UTR appear to be more sensitive. J. Med. Virol. 52:92–96, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.