[Prevalence of GBV-C/HGV (HGV) in HIV-infected patients and potential influence of co-infection on the course of the disease.].

AIM OF THE STUDY: Assessment of prevalence of GBV-C/HGV infection in HIV-infected patients and evaluating of a possible influence of GBV-C/HGV on the course of HIV infection by assessment of immunological and virological markers of progression of HIV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have investigated serum samples of 273 HIV- infected patients from AIDS Center of the University Hospital Na Bulovce Prague during 2002-2003. Our target was to assess the presence of markers of GBV-C/HGV infection by semiquantitative HGV RNA evaluation and anti-E2 antibodies by ELISA testing. 271 of serum samples were tested for HGV RNA and 269 samples were tested for anti-E2 antibodies. HIV viral load and CD4 count were tested concurrently. We used Spearmans test to rule out the dependency of CD4 count and HIV viral load on HGV infection. RESULTS: 89 (33,3 %) of patients were positive in HGV RNA test and 101 (38,5 %) of patients were positive in anti E2-ELISA. No statistically significant effect of GBV-C/HGV infection was observed on CD4 count and HIV viral load in our cohort of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of GBV-C/HGV infection on predictive laboratory markers of HIV infection was not confirmed in our study. Further investigations regarding this subject seem to be necessary.

Age-specific prevalence, transmission and phylogeny of TT virus in the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: TT virus is prevalent worldwide, but its prevalence and genotype distribution in Central and East-Europe has not been determined. The high prevalence of TTV in multiply-transfused patients points to the importance of a parenteral mode of transmission, but since more than half of the general population is infected other possible routes of transmission must be considered. METHODS: In our study, we investigated the epidemiology, transmission and phylogeny of TTV in the Czech Republic. The following groups were selected: a control group of 196 blood donors, 20 patients with hemophilia, 49 intravenous drug users, 100 sex workers, 50 penitentiary prisoners, 208 healthy children aged 1 to 14 years, 54 cord blood samples, 52 patients with non-A-E hepatitis, 74 patients with hepatitis C, and 51 blood donors with increased ALT levels. Primers specific for the non-coding region were used. The genotype distribution was studied in 70 TTV-positive samples. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of TTV among the Czech population was 52.6%. We have shown that TTV is not transmitted prenatally. Children were infected after birth with two peaks: one at the age of two years and the other after the beginning of primary school. Adults have shown a further increase in the TTV prevalence with age. The highest TTV prevalence was found in the group of patients who had received multiple blood transfusions. The TTV prevalence rate in subjects at an increased risk of sexual transmission was not significantly higher than in the general population. Genotypes G2 and G1 were most prevalent among the Czech population, followed by G8 and G3. The subjects positive for markers of HBV and/or HCV infection tested significantly more often TTV DNA positive, which is suggestive of a common route of transmission of these three infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study on TTV prevalence, mode of transmission and age-specific prevalence is the most extensive study performed in Central and Eastern Europe. It showed insights into the epidemiology of TTV infection, but failed to associate TTV infection with clinical manifestations.

[Incidence of human herpes virus 8 (HHV 8) infections in risk groups of the population].

OBJECTIVE: To identify and to examine the population groups at highest risk of acquiring HHV8 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF) for detection of IgG antibodies to the lytic antigen of HHV 8. RESULTS: In total 101 STD patients of a dermatovenerological clinic, 129 HIV - negative homosexual men - who have asked for voluntary HIV testing and 37 patients with repeated blood transfusions were tested. The highest number of patients - 13 (10 %) with IgG antibodies to the lytic antigen of HHV 8 was found in the group of HIV - negative homosexual men. CONCLUSIONS: In the Czech Republic are at highest risk of HHV 8 infection (except HIV positive persons), HIV negative men.