Hepatitis C and G Virus infections in polytransfused children |
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Authors: | J-L Chung J-H Kao M-S Kong C-P Yang I-J Hung T-Y Lin J H Kao |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Paediatrics, Hsin-Tai Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C., TW;(2) Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C., TW;(3) Department of Paediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C., TW;(4) Hepatitis Research Centre, National Taiwan University Hospital, 1 Chang-Te St., Taipei, Taiwan 100 Tel.: 886-02-3970800 ext 7302; Fax: 886-2-3317624, TW |
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Abstract: | The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and a newly identified hepatitis G virus (HGV) and their clinical significance
were studied in 42 polytransfused Taiwanese children. Serological assays for antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV) and polymerase
chain reaction for serum HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) and HGV RNA were performed. The prevalence of anti-HCV and HGV RNA was
17% and 14%, respectively in 42 polytransfused children. Anti-HCV seropositives had a significantly higher mean age, peak
serum transaminase level, and longer transfusion duration than seronegatives, while children with HGV infection usually had
no or only mild hepatitis activities. The prevalence of anti-HCV dropped sharply after implementation of anti-HCV screening,
however the prevalence of HGV viraemia remained unchanged.
Conclusion HGV infection is not uncommon in polytransfused Taiwanese children and the virus does not cause significant hepatitis compared
to HCV infection. Current blood donor screening for anti-HCV can effectively protect polytransfused children from HCV infection
but the impact of additional screening for HGV markers awaits further studies.
Received: 10 October 1996 and in revised form: 26 November 1996 / Accepted 26 November 1996 |
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Keywords: | Hepatitis C virus Hepatitis G virus Thalassaemic children |
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