Prevalence studies of GB virus-C infection using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

摘要: Among the three recently described GB viruses (GBV-A, GBV-B, and GBV-C), only GBV-C has been linked to cryptogenic hepatitis in man. Because of limited utility currently available research tests determine antibody response proteins, prevalence RNA human sera was studied using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The is higher among volunteer blood donors with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (3.9%) than normal ALT (0.8%). Higher rates were also noted commercial (12.9%) intravenous drug users (16.0%). frequently detected residents West Africa, where > 10% most age groups. Approximately 20% patients diagnosed either acute or chronic C virus (HCV) found be positive for RNA. In addition, sequences individuals non-A-E hepatitis, clinical courses ranging from mild disease fulminant hepatitis. Fourteen sixteen subjects without clinically apparent more 1 year after initial result.