HEPATITIS (G) VIRUS INFECTION IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) 1s a human RNA Flavivirus, designated GBV-C that causes acute and chronic liver infection in humans and distantly related to HCV. More likely, HGV shares routes of transmission with HCV. However, the biochemical and histological changes of liver in HGV infection are very mild and quite different comparing with those infected with HCV. The frequency of abnormal transaminase level was similar in patients having or have not HGV viraemia. However, Fiordalisi et al. (1996) mentioned that HGV •plays an important role in the etiology of fulminant hepatitis. Furthermore, Taninutto et aL (1998) detected HGV-RNA at a very high rate in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The prevalence of HGV infection is higher in patients with evidence of either HCV or HBV infection or both due to the common routes of transmission. Patients on maintenance hemodialysis, or those receiving blood transfusion •and organ transplant recipients represent a high risk group for parenterally transmitted viral infections, such as Hepatitis 8, C, and G viruses.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis, which represent the s bjects of our study, have lowered immune response and hence are at high risk of infection that includes HGV and HCV. Alternatively, because they share in same hemodialysis equipments, including dialysers, kits, syringes and needles. Moreover, blood transfusion is a risk factor