Hepatitis G virus infection in patients with hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis G virus [HGV] infection is a worldwide health problem causing acute and chronic non A- E hepatitis. Because HGV and hepatitis C virus [HCV] share same modes of transmission, co-infection with the two viruses is not uncommon especially among people at high risk of parenteral infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HGV among HCV virus cases, and to determine the degree of concurrent association between HGV and other prevalent infections in Egypt as Schistosoma, and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections. This study included 100 blood donors attending Alexandria University Blood Bank in EL Shatby, proved to be positive for HCV antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] technique. Blood samples ,vyere collected and tested for the detection of HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and Schistosoma antibodies by ELISA technique and HGV RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique.' Out of 100 anti-HCV positive blood donors, 39[39%] had HGV RNA in their serum, of them 10 [25.6%] were positive for HBsAg, on the other hand 34[87.2%] were positive for Schistosoma antibodies. From this study it could, be concluded that HGV is a common co-infection in HCV cases, however there was no significant statistical relation between the presence of HGV RNA and the presence of HBsAg and /or Schistosoma antibodies. Screening for HGV among blood donors in addition to the routinely screened HBV and HCV may have a beneficial effect in reducing its transmission among the population