Significance of antibodies to the recombinant E2 protein of hepatitis G virus in haemodialysis patients |
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Authors: | E. Schulte-Frohlinde,S. Schmolke,W. Reindl,G. Schä tzle,J. Scherf,K. F. Kopp,M. Classen,& V. Schlü ter |
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Affiliation: | II. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik of the Technical University of Munich, Germany,,;Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, R&D Infectious Diseases, Penzberg, Germany and,;Kuratorium für Dialyse u. Nierentransplantation, Munich, Germany |
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Abstract: | Patients on maintenance haemodialysis represent a high-risk group for parenterally transmitted viral infections, such as hepatitis B, C and G. In addition to hepatitis G virus (HGV) (GBV-C) RNA, analysed in previous studies, we characterized the seroprevalence rates of antibodies to the putative E2 protein (anti-E2) of HGV in a German cohort of patients on maintenance dialysis ( n = 72) in comparison to healthy blood donors ( n = 100). The presence of anti-E2 and/or HGV RNA as indicators of present or past HGV infection could be demonstrated in 34.7% of patients and in 16% of the blood donors ( P < 0.01). The infection rates with HGV seem to increase only during the first 6 years of haemodialysis. The simultaneous presence of viraemia and anti-E2 was found very rarely in patients and controls. Therefore, the emergence of anti-E2 indicates clearance of HGV viraemia. In conclusion, patients on haemodialysis are at high risk of acquiring HGV infection, but a chronic carrier state with viraemia is rare. The risk of infection is not strictly correlated with the duration of dialysis. |
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Keywords: | E2 protein haemodialysis HGV/GBV-C transmission |
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