High prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in different risk groups of HIV-infected patients |
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Authors: | P. Clevenbergh J. Durant P. Halfon A. Tran T. Manos V. Rahelinirina G. Yang S. Benzaken D. Ouzan P. Rampal P. Dellamonica |
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Affiliation: | Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France;Alphabio Laboratory of Virology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France;Department of Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France;Department of Virology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France;Department of Immunology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France;Arnault Tzanck Institute, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital de l'Archet, Nice, France |
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Abstract: | Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA and anti-E2 antibodies in different risk groups of HIV-infected patients compared to that in healthy blood donors, and to study the effects of possible interactions between HIV and GBV-C/HGV on the carrier state and hepatic changes. Methods: Sera from 100 consecutive unselected HIV-infected outpatients and from 100 healthy blood donors were screened for GBV-C/HGV viremia and anti-E2 antibodies. Anti-E2 antibodies were detected using an immunoassay developed by Boehringer Mannheim according to the manufacturer's instructions. GBV-C/HGV RNA was extracted from sera and reverse transcribed. The resulting cDNA was amplified with a PCR developed in the laboratory with primers derived from the 5' noncoding region of the viral genome and detected with a specific capture probe. This procedure was validated by a French multicenter quality control group. Results: Thirty-one of the 100 HIV-infected patients and 8% of the healthy blood donors displayed anti-E2 antibodies. Four HIV-infected patients and one healthy blood donor were found to be GBV-C/HGV viremic. When analyzed by risk factor for the acquisition of HIV, no differences in the prevalence of anti-E2 antibodies were found between intravenous drug users and homosexual and heterosexual patients. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of GBV-C/HGV infection in the HIV-infected population, irrespective of the risk group factor for HIV infection, suggesting that the sexual route is as effective as the parenteral route for the acquisition of GBV-C/HGV. No biological alteration could be attributed to GBV-C/HGV, even in the viremic patients. HIV-infected patients were able to clear GBV-C/HGV viremia and to mount a humoral immune response. |
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Keywords: | HIV hepatitis G virus anti-E2 antibodies prevalence |
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