TY - JOUR
T1 - GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus infection in a hepatitis C virus endemic village
T2 - Prevalence in residents with low educational attainment and frequent recovery in females
AU - Cheng, Pin Nan
AU - Chang, Ting Tsung
AU - Yang, Mei Hui
AU - Hu, Shu Chen
AU - Young, Kung Chia
AU - Wu, Hua Lin
AU - Jen, Chung Min
AU - Ko, Ai Wen
AU - Lu, Shih Chien
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Aims/Background: GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a newly identified flavivirus, which may share the same mode of transmission as hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to investigate associated factors of HGV infection and clearance in a HCV endemic village in southern Taiwan. Methods: Five hundred and ninety-four residents of a village in southern Taiwan were enrolled for hepatitis virus screening. Clinical features were recorded and a questionnaire addressing the possible routes of transmission was filled in by the participating residents. Results: The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B surface antigen in the 594 residents was 70.7% and 19.5% respectively. Of the 399 residents tested for HGV RNA, GB virus-CI Hepatitis G virus envelop 2 protein (HGV-E2) antibody, and HCV RNA, the prevalence was 13.5%, 25.3%, 53.1% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low educational attainment was associated with HGV infection, old age and low educational attainment were associated with HCV infection, and female gender was associated with HGV clearance. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were significantly higher for residents with HCV infection alone, HBV infection alone, and co-infection of HCV and HBV than for those without HBV; HCV, and HGV infection. There were no differences in ALT values between subjects with HGV infection alone and those without HBV, HCV; and HGV infections. Residents with co-infection of HGV and HBV, or HGV and HCV had ALT values similar to those with HBV or HCV infection alone. Conclusion: HGV infection is common in the HCV endemic village. The transmission of HGV is closely related to low educational attainment. HGV clearance is frequently encountered in females. Co-infection of HGV does not compound hepatocellular inflammation.
AB - Aims/Background: GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a newly identified flavivirus, which may share the same mode of transmission as hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to investigate associated factors of HGV infection and clearance in a HCV endemic village in southern Taiwan. Methods: Five hundred and ninety-four residents of a village in southern Taiwan were enrolled for hepatitis virus screening. Clinical features were recorded and a questionnaire addressing the possible routes of transmission was filled in by the participating residents. Results: The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B surface antigen in the 594 residents was 70.7% and 19.5% respectively. Of the 399 residents tested for HGV RNA, GB virus-CI Hepatitis G virus envelop 2 protein (HGV-E2) antibody, and HCV RNA, the prevalence was 13.5%, 25.3%, 53.1% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low educational attainment was associated with HGV infection, old age and low educational attainment were associated with HCV infection, and female gender was associated with HGV clearance. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were significantly higher for residents with HCV infection alone, HBV infection alone, and co-infection of HCV and HBV than for those without HBV; HCV, and HGV infection. There were no differences in ALT values between subjects with HGV infection alone and those without HBV, HCV; and HGV infections. Residents with co-infection of HGV and HBV, or HGV and HCV had ALT values similar to those with HBV or HCV infection alone. Conclusion: HGV infection is common in the HCV endemic village. The transmission of HGV is closely related to low educational attainment. HGV clearance is frequently encountered in females. Co-infection of HGV does not compound hepatocellular inflammation.
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U2 - 10.1034/j.1600-0676.2000.020003222.x
DO - 10.1034/j.1600-0676.2000.020003222.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 10902972
AN - SCOPUS:0034077549
SN - 0106-9543
VL - 20
SP - 222
EP - 227
JO - Liver
JF - Liver
IS - 3
ER -