Does hepatitis G virus cause significant clinical liver disease?
Artículo
en Inglés
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-33176
ABSTRACT
Regarding the newly discovered hepatitis G virus (HGV), little is known about its relation to the cause and clinical significance of acute and chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Lacking a reliable serum immunoassay, the only method available for detecting the viral RNA in patients consists of the rather costly and time consuming RT-PCR. HGV has a worldwide distribution with up to 5% voluntary and 12.9% commercial blood donors infected, yet it appears to be asymptomatic. Moreover, HGV is frequently found as a coinfection with HCV or, to a lesser extent, HBV with symptoms tending to follow the patterns known for HCV or HBV infection, respectively. Being a blood-borne virus, it is most prevalent among members of high risk groups, such as IVDUs, patients on hemodialysis, recipients of blood and blood products and patients infected with HCV, HBV, or HIV, HGV can be parenterally, vertically, or sexually transmitted and after prolonged exposure, the virus may be eliminated by the patient's immune response. As yet, no unambiguous evidence exists regarding HGV's role in causing acute or chronic liver disease and, apart from a few isolated reports to the contrary, the infections appear rather mild. Therefore, more studies are required before a decision can be made whether to routinely screen blood donors for the presence of HGV RNA.
Texto completo:
Disponible
Índice:
IMSEAR (Asia Sudoriental)
Asunto principal:
Tailandia
/
Humanos
/
Tamizaje Masivo
/
Flaviviridae
/
Hepatitis Viral Humana
Tipo de estudio:
Estudio pronóstico
/
Estudio de tamizaje
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
Inglés
Año:
1997
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
Similares
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS