SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF THE NS5 REGION OF GBV-C／HGV AND DETECTION OF THE VIRUS BY REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE PCR

GBV-C/HGV is a newly identified virus associated with human hepatitis.In this study,the nucleotide sequences of the partial NS5 gene of GBV-C/HGV derived from sera of 8 Chinese patients were determined.The nucleotide homology among the 8 isolates were 92% on average.On the basis of sequence analysis,two sets of oligonucleotide primers derived from highly conserved region of GBV-C/HGV NS5 gene were designed to establish both sensitive and specific nested PCR for detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA.253 Chinese patients were examined for the virus RNA.GBV-C/HGV RNA positive rates in patients infected with HBV,HCV and patients with chronic non-B,non-C hepatitis were 18.4%,19.8% and 8.9% respectively.This result suggested that HBV,HCV and GBV-C/HGV shared the same transmission risk factors.8 patients with GBV-C/HGV and HCV coinfection were retrospectively observed for the response to interferon.Coinfection with GBV/HGV did not negatively influence the responsiveness of HCV,and GBV-C/HGV was sensitive to interferon to a certain degree.