A STUDY OF HEPATITIS G VIRUS INFECTION IN DIFFERENT PATIENT GROUPS

Abstract

Hepatitis G Virus (HGV), and GBV-C are independent isolates of the same virus which has been isolated from sera of patients with hepatitis. Hepatitis G virus was found to be a positive stranded RNA virus that is distantly related to HCV and represents a new genus in the family flaviviridae. HGV is transmitted primarily by parenteral routes but can be transmitted sexually and perinatally An occupational risk for HGV exists in medical staff of dialysis. Other risk groups include haemodialysis patients, intravenous drug users(IVDU), HIV positive patients. The natural course of HGV/GBV-C infection appears to vary from an acute self-limited episode to a chronic infection that may persist for years. A clear cut disease association has not yet been established; and its role in the etiology of acute, fulminant hepatitis and chronic non A-E hepatitis remains controversial.