| Abstract: | To determine the routes of transmission ofhepatitis G virus (HGV) and the relationship between HGVand hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, we tested forHGV RNA by polymerase chain reaction and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) in 494 hemodialysis patients,638 inhabitants of two HCV endemic areas, and in 400blood donors in Japan. HGV RNA was detected in 6.9% ofhemodialysis patients, in 1.4% of inhabitants, and in 0.8% of donors, and anti-HCV wasdetected in 39.3%, 12.4%, and 1.8%, respectively. Of HGVRNA-positive hemodialysis patients, and HGV RNA-positiveinhabitants, 64.7% and 11.1%, respectively, had been given blood transfusions. Theprevalences of HGV RNA and anti-HCV significantlyincreased with the duration of hemodialysis. Of all HGVRNA positives, 74.4% were coinfected with HCV andsubjects with HGV RNA alone had normal liver function.In conclusion, HGV is transmitted by blood transfusionand within the hemodialysis unit itself. HGV does notseem to injure hepatocytes. |
