Evaluation of HGV viremia prevalence and its co- infection with HBV, HCV, HIV and HTLV-1 in hemophilic patients of Southern Khorassan, Iran

The GB virus-C [GBV-C] and Hepatitis G virus [HGV], collectively known as GBV-C/HGV and transmitted through blood transfusion and blood components. A co-infection of HGV and HCV is often seen in patients with hemophilia. The paucity of information about rate of GBV-C infection among hemophilic patients in Iran promoted the current study. This study was performed on 80 hemophilic patients from south Khorassan branch of Iranian hemophilia society in Birjand. All 80 serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBs-Ag], Anti HCV, Anti HIV, and Anti HTLV-1. All sera positive for HCVAb were retested by recombinant immunoblot assay as a complementary test. Also, Serum HCV-RNA, HCV genotyping and HGV-RNA were detected. The prevalence of HGV-RNA was 5% [4 of 80]. The prevalence of Anti HCV positive was 26.3% [21 of 80] and HCV- RNA was detected in 80% [17 of 21] of these patients. Co infection of HGV with HCV was 5%. HBsAg and Anti HIV were negative in all of our patients. Anti HTLV-1 was detected in one patient [1.25%]. HGV and HCV are prevalent in South Khorassan hemophilic patients. Prevalence of HGV infection is less than HCV but it is more prevalent than HBV, HIV and HTLV-1 infection