GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in HIV infected patients with haemophilia despite treatment with virus inactivated clotting factor concentrates
a Department
of Paediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Bonn, 53113 Bonn,
Germany, b Institute of Experimental Haematology and
Transfusion Medicine, University of Bonn, Campus Charité, c Virchow Hospital, Department of
Hepatology/ Gastroenterology, University of Berlin, 13353 Berlin,
Germany
Correspondence to: Dr Woelfle, Zentrum f. Kinderheilkunde, Rhein. Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Adenauerallee 119, D-53113 Bonn, Germany.
Accepted 23 December
1998
AIM
To determine the
frequency of GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection
before and after switch to the use of virus inactivated concentrates in
haemophiliac patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
PATIENTS AND
METHODSInitial and follow up sera from 49 children with haemophilia were analysed for the presence of GBV-C/HGV
RNA and antibodies to HGV (anti-HGV). All patients had been infected
with HIV while receiving concentrates without virus inactivation before
1984 and were subsequently treated with virus inactivated concentrates.
RESULTSIn the first
available serum sample (1987 or later), two of 49 patients were
GBV-C/HGV RNA positive and two further patients were anti-HGV positive.
During follow up (mean, 6 years), 14 patients developed markers of
GBV-C/HGV infection. Eleven of these had received no blood products
except clotting factor concentrates that had been prepared with virus inactivation.
CONCLUSIONSDespite
being treated with virus inactivated clotting factor concentrates, HIV
positive patients with haemophilia are at an increased risk of
manifesting GBV-C/HGV infection. We hypothesise that GBV-C/HGV is
transmitted by these clotting factor concentrates. However, we cannot
rule out the emergence of markers of GBV-C/HGV infection as a result of
the progression of immune impairment in the course of HIV infection.
Keywords: hepatitis G virus; GB virus C; haemophilia; HIV
© 1999 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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