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High prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus genotype 3 among autochthonous Venezuelan populations

2002; Wiley; Volume: 68; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/jmv.10211

1096-9071

Carmen L. Loureiro, Roberto Alonso, Belkis A. Pacheco, María Gabriela Uzcátegui, Leopoldo Villegas, Graciela León, Arlette Ruiz‐Sàez, Ferdinando Liprandi, José Luis García López, Flor H. Pujol,

Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology

Abstract GB virus C or hepatitis G virus (GBV‐C/HGV) is highly prevalent among population groups at risk of parenterally transmitted viral agents, but it has also a worldwide distribution in other non‐risk population groups. GBV‐C/HGV RNA and antibodies against its envelope protein (anti‐E2 Abs) were found in 3/86 (3%) and 7/89 (8%) of biomedical science personnel (BSP), in 31/453 (7%) and 37/200 (19%) of blood donors (BD), and in 6/64 (9%) and 26/59 (44%) of hemodialysis patients (HD) from Caracas, Venezuela. A significant gradient of GBV‐C/HGV exposure (anti‐E2 Abs and/or GBV‐C/HGV RNA) was found between BSP (lowest prevalence), BD, and HD ( P < 0.001). GBV‐C/HGV RNA and anti‐E2 Abs were also found in 2/69 (2.9%) and 2/44 (4.5%) of individuals from a rural community, in 9/162 (5.5%) and 2/40 (5%) of West Amerindians, and in 14/56 (25%) and 4/53 (7.5%) of South Amerindians. Socioeconomic and cultural factors may have contributed to the relatively high risk of exposure to GBV‐C/HGV in BD and Amerindians. Whereas GBV‐C/HGV genotypes 1 (n = 1), 2 (n = 6), and 3 (n = 22) were present in Venezuela, only the Asiatic genotype 3 was found infecting Amerindians and rural populations (n = 16). Genotype assignment based on the 5′ noncoding region of the GBV‐ C/HGV genome was corroborated in some isolates by genetic analysis of the E2 region. This report confirms the circulation of the Asiatic genotype of GBV‐C/HGV among Amerindians, suggesting an old origin of GBV‐C/HGV. This might be associated with the apparently low pathogenesis of this virus. J. Med. Virol. 68:357–362, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.