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Yu Y, Wan Z, Wang JH, Yang X, Zhang C. Review of human pegivirus: Prevalence, transmission, pathogenesis, and clinical implication. Virulence 2022; 13:324-341. [PMID: 35132924 PMCID: PMC8837232 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2022.2029328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pegivirus (HPgV-1), previously known as GB virus C (GBV-C) or hepatitis G virus (HGV), is a single-stranded positive RNA virus belonging to the genus Pegivirus of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted by percutaneous injuries (PIs), contaminated blood and/or blood products, sexual contact, and vertical mother-to-child transmission. It is widely prevalent in general population, especially in high-risk groups. HPgV-1 viremia is typically cleared within the first 1–2 years of infection in most healthy individuals, but may persist for longer periods of time in immunocompromised individuals and/or those co-infected by other viruses. A large body of evidences indicate that HPgV-1 persistent infection has a beneficial clinical effect on many infectious diseases, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and hepatitis C. The beneficial effects seem to be related to a significant reduction of immune activation, and/or the inhabitation of co-infected viruses (e.g. HIV-1). HPgV-1 has a broad cellular tropism for lymphoid and myeloid cells, and preferentially replicates in bone marrow and spleen without cytopathic effect, implying a therapeutic potential. The paper aims to summarize the natural history, prevalence and distribution characteristics, and pathogenesis of HPgV-1, and discuss its association with other human viral diseases, and potential use in therapy as a biovaccine or viral vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China.,Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenzhou Wan
- Medical Laboratory of Taizhou Fourth People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianguang Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Chiyu Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Heffron AS, Lauck M, Somsen ED, Townsend EC, Bailey AL, Sosa M, Eickhoff J, Capuano III S, Newman CM, Kuhn JH, Mejia A, Simmons HA, O’Connor DH. Discovery of a Novel Simian Pegivirus in Common Marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus) with Lymphocytic Enterocolitis. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8101509. [PMID: 33007921 PMCID: PMC7599636 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
From 2010 to 2015, 73 common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) housed at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) were diagnosed postmortem with lymphocytic enterocolitis. We used unbiased deep-sequencing to screen the blood of deceased enterocolitis-positive marmosets for viruses. In five out of eight common marmosets with lymphocytic enterocolitis, we discovered a novel pegivirus not present in ten matched, clinically normal controls. The novel virus, which we named Southwest bike trail virus (SOBV), is most closely related (68% nucleotide identity) to a strain of simian pegivirus A isolated from a three-striped night monkey (Aotus trivirgatus). We screened 146 living WNPRC common marmosets for SOBV, finding an overall prevalence of 34% (50/146). Over four years, 85 of these 146 animals died or were euthanized. Histological examination revealed 27 SOBV-positive marmosets from this cohort had lymphocytic enterocolitis, compared to 42 SOBV-negative marmosets, indicating no association between SOBV and disease in this cohort (p = 0.0798). We also detected SOBV in two of 33 (6%) clinically normal marmosets screened during transfer from the New England Primate Research Center, suggesting SOBV could be exerting confounding influences on comparisons of common marmoset studies from multiple colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Heffron
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA; (A.S.H.); (M.L.); (E.D.S.); (E.C.T.); (C.M.N.)
| | - Michael Lauck
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA; (A.S.H.); (M.L.); (E.D.S.); (E.C.T.); (C.M.N.)
| | - Elizabeth D. Somsen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA; (A.S.H.); (M.L.); (E.D.S.); (E.C.T.); (C.M.N.)
| | - Elizabeth C. Townsend
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA; (A.S.H.); (M.L.); (E.D.S.); (E.C.T.); (C.M.N.)
| | - Adam L. Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Megan Sosa
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (M.S.); (S.C.III); (A.M.); (H.A.S.)
| | - Jens Eickhoff
- Department of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
| | - Saverio Capuano III
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (M.S.); (S.C.III); (A.M.); (H.A.S.)
| | - Christina M. Newman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA; (A.S.H.); (M.L.); (E.D.S.); (E.C.T.); (C.M.N.)
| | - Jens H. Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702, USA;
| | - Andres Mejia
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (M.S.); (S.C.III); (A.M.); (H.A.S.)
| | - Heather A. Simmons
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (M.S.); (S.C.III); (A.M.); (H.A.S.)
| | - David H. O’Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA; (A.S.H.); (M.L.); (E.D.S.); (E.C.T.); (C.M.N.)
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (M.S.); (S.C.III); (A.M.); (H.A.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-608-890-0845
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Bailey AL, Lauck M, Mohns M, Peterson EJ, Beheler K, Brunner KG, Crosno K, Mejia A, Mutschler J, Gehrke M, Greene J, Ericsen AJ, Weiler A, Lehrer-Brey G, Friedrich TC, Sibley SD, Kallas EG, Capuano S, Rogers J, Goldberg TL, Simmons HA, O'Connor DH. Durable sequence stability and bone marrow tropism in a macaque model of human pegivirus infection. Sci Transl Med 2016; 7:305ra144. [PMID: 26378244 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aab3467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Human pegivirus (HPgV)-formerly known as GB virus C and hepatitis G virus-is a poorly characterized RNA virus that infects about one-sixth of the global human population and is transmitted frequently in the blood supply. We create an animal model of HPgV infection by infecting macaque monkeys with a new simian pegivirus (SPgV) discovered in wild baboons. Using this model, we provide a high-resolution, longitudinal picture of SPgV viremia where the dose, route, and timing of infection are known. We detail the highly variable acute phase of SPgV infection, showing that the viral load trajectory early in infection is dependent on the infecting dose, whereas the chronic-phase viremic set point is not. We also show that SPgV has an extremely low propensity for accumulating sequence variation, with no consensus-level variants detected during the acute phase of infection and an average of only 1.5 variants generated per 100 infection-days. Finally, we show that SPgV RNA is highly concentrated in only two tissues: spleen and bone marrow, with bone marrow likely producing most of the virus detected in plasma. Together, these results reconcile several paradoxical observations from cross-sectional analyses of HPgV in humans and provide an animal model for studying pegivirus biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Michael Lauck
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Mariel Mohns
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Eric J Peterson
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Kerry Beheler
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Kevin G Brunner
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Kristin Crosno
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Andres Mejia
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - James Mutschler
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Matthew Gehrke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Justin Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Adam J Ericsen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Andrea Weiler
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Gabrielle Lehrer-Brey
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Thomas C Friedrich
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Samuel D Sibley
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Esper G Kallas
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 01310-911, Brazil
| | - Saverio Capuano
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Jeffrey Rogers
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tony L Goldberg
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | | | - David H O'Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA. Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA.
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Sibley SD, Lauck M, Bailey AL, Hyeroba D, Tumukunde A, Weny G, Chapman CA, O’Connor DH, Goldberg TL, Friedrich TC. Discovery and characterization of distinct simian pegiviruses in three wild African Old World monkey species. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98569. [PMID: 24918769 PMCID: PMC4053331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the Flaviviridae, the recently designated genus Pegivirus has expanded greatly due to new discoveries in bats, horses, and rodents. Here we report the discovery and characterization of three simian pegiviruses (SPgV) that resemble human pegivirus (HPgV) and infect red colobus monkeys (Procolobus tephrosceles), red-tailed guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius) and an olive baboon (Papio anubis). We have designated these viruses SPgVkrc, SPgVkrtg and SPgVkbab, reflecting their host species' common names, which include reference to their location of origin in Kibale National Park, Uganda. SPgVkrc and SPgVkrtg were detected in 47% (28/60) of red colobus and 42% (5/12) red-tailed guenons, respectively, while SPgVkbab infection was observed in 1 of 23 olive baboons tested. Infections were not associated with any apparent disease, despite the generally high viral loads observed for each variant. These viruses were monophyletic and equally divergent from HPgV and pegiviruses previously identified in chimpanzees (SPgVcpz). Overall, the high degree of conservation of genetic features among the novel SPgVs, HPgV and SPgVcpz suggests conservation of function among these closely related viruses. Our study describes the first primate pegiviruses detected in Old World monkeys, expanding the known genetic diversity and host range of pegiviruses and providing insight into the natural history of this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel D. Sibley
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michael Lauck
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Adam L. Bailey
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Colin A. Chapman
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Anthropology and McGill School of Environment, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David H. O’Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Tony L. Goldberg
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Thomas C. Friedrich
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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Odeh RA. RETRACTED: Detection and genotyping of GB virus-C in dromedary camels in the United Arab Emirates. Vet Microbiol 2011; 147:226-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2010] [Accepted: 06/25/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Stapleton JT, Foung S, Muerhoff AS, Bukh J, Simmonds P. The GB viruses: a review and proposed classification of GBV-A, GBV-C (HGV), and GBV-D in genus Pegivirus within the family Flaviviridae. J Gen Virol 2010; 92:233-46. [PMID: 21084497 PMCID: PMC3081076 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.027490-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 212] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1967, it was reported that experimental inoculation of serum from a surgeon (G.B.) with acute hepatitis into tamarins resulted in hepatitis. In 1995, two new members of the family Flaviviridae, named GBV-A and GBV-B, were identified in tamarins that developed hepatitis following inoculation with the 11th GB passage. Neither virus infects humans, and a number of GBV-A variants were identified in wild New World monkeys that were captured. Subsequently, a related human virus was identified [named GBV-C or hepatitis G virus (HGV)], and recently a more distantly related virus (named GBV-D) was discovered in bats. Only GBV-B, a second species within the genus Hepacivirus (type species hepatitis C virus), has been shown to cause hepatitis; it causes acute hepatitis in experimentally infected tamarins. The other GB viruses have however not been assigned to a genus within the family Flaviviridae. Based on phylogenetic relationships, genome organization and pathogenic features of the GB viruses, we propose to classify GBV-A-like viruses, GBV-C and GBV-D as members of a fourth genus in the family Flaviviridae, named Pegivirus (pe, persistent; g, GB or G). We also propose renaming 'GB' viruses within the tentative genus Pegivirus to reflect their host origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack T Stapleton
- Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center and the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
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Identification of GBV-D, a novel GB-like flavivirus from old world frugivorous bats (Pteropus giganteus) in Bangladesh. PLoS Pathog 2010; 6:e1000972. [PMID: 20617167 PMCID: PMC2895649 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 05/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats are reservoirs for a wide range of zoonotic agents including lyssa-, henipah-, SARS-like corona-, Marburg-, Ebola-, and astroviruses. In an effort to survey for the presence of other infectious agents, known and unknown, we screened sera from 16 Pteropus giganteus bats from Faridpur, Bangladesh, using high-throughput pyrosequencing. Sequence analyses indicated the presence of a previously undescribed virus that has approximately 50% identity at the amino acid level to GB virus A and C (GBV-A and -C). Viral nucleic acid was present in 5 of 98 sera (5%) from a single colony of free-ranging bats. Infection was not associated with evidence of hepatitis or hepatic dysfunction. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this first GBV-like flavivirus reported in bats constitutes a distinct species within the Flaviviridae family and is ancestral to the GBV-A and -C virus clades. Bats are important reservoirs for emerging zoonotic viruses with significant impact on human health including lyssaviruses, filoviruses, henipaviruses and coronaviruses. Opportunities for transmission to humans are particularly prominent in countries like Bangladesh, where people live in close association with bats. Whereas previous studies of bats have employed assays that test for known pathogens, we present the first application of an unbiased molecular approach to pathogen discovery in this reservoir for emerging zoonotic disease. Unbiased pyrosequencing of serum from Pteropus giganteus bats enabled identification of a novel flavivirus related to Hepatitis C and GB viruses. Viral nucleic acid was present in 5 of 98 (5%) sera, and in the saliva of one animal. Sequence identification of two strains of the virus, tentatively named GBV-D, suggests P. giganteus as a natural reservoir. Detection of viral nucleic acid in saliva provides a plausible route for zoonotic transmission. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that GBV-D is ancestral to GBV-A and -C, and separate from the recently classified genus Hepacivirus. Our findings provide new insight into the range of known hosts for GB-like viruses and demonstrate the power of unbiased sequencing to characterize the diversity of potentially zoonotic pathogens carried by bats and other reservoirs.
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Abstract
A number of new hepatitis viruses (G, TT, SEN) were discovered late in the past century. We review the data available in the literature and our own findings suggesting that the new hepatitis G virus (HGV), disclosed in the late 1990s, has been rather well studied. Analysis of many studies dealing with HGV mainly suggests the lymphotropicity of this virus. HGV or GBV-C has been ascertained to influence course and prognosis in the HIV-infected patient. Until now, the frequent presence of GBV-C in coinfections, hematological diseases, and biliary pathology gives no grounds to determine it as an “accidental tourist” that is of no significance. The similarity in properties of GBV-C and hepatitis C virus (HCV) offers the possibility of using HGV, and its induced experimental infection, as a model to study hepatitis C and to develop a hepatitis C vaccine.
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Abstract
AIM: To explore the pathogenicity and infectivity of hepatitis G virus (HGV) by observing replication and expression of the virus, as well as the serological and histological changes of Macaca mulatta infected with HGV genomic RNA or HGV RNA-positive serum.
METHODS: Full-length HGV cDNA clone (HGVqz) was constructed and proved to be infectious, from which HGV genomic RNA was transcribed in vitro. Macaca mulatta BY1 was intra-hepatically inoculated with HGV genomic RNA, HGV RNA-positive serum from BY1 was intravenously inoculated into Macaca mulatta BM1, and then BB1 was infected with serum from BM1. Serum and liver tissue were taken regularly, and checked with RT-PCR, in situ hybridization and other immunological, serological, histological assays.
RESULTS: Serum HGV RNA was detectable in all the 3 Macaca mulattas, serological and histological examinations showed the experimental animals had slightly elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) and developed HGV viremia during the infectious period. The histology, immunohis-tochemistry, and in situ hybridization in liver tissues of the inoculated animals demonstrated a very mild hepatitis with HGV antigen expression in cytoplasm of hepatocytes. RT-PCR and quantitative PCR results showed that HGV could replicate in liver.
CONCLUSION: The genomic RNA from full-length HGV cDNA is infectious to the Macaca mulatta and can cause mild hepatitis. HGV RNA-positive serum, from HGV RNA inoculated Macaca mulatta, is infectious to other Macaca mulattas. Macaca mulatta is susceptible to the inoculated HGV, and therefore can be used as an experimental animal model for the studies of HGV infection and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Ren
- Department of Microbiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Sathar M, Soni P, York D. GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV): still looking for a disease. Int J Exp Pathol 2001. [PMID: 11168678 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2613.2000.00166.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
GB Virus C and Hepatitis G Virus (GBV-C/HGV) are positive, single-stranded flaviviruses. GBV-C and HGV are independent isolates of the same virus. Transmission via the blood-borne route is the commonest mode, although vertical and sexual transmission is well documented. GBV-C/HGV is distributed globally; its prevalence in the general population is 10 fold higher in African countries than in non-African countries. High prevalences of GBV-C/HGV have been found in subjects with frequent parenteral exposure and in groups at high risk of exposure to blood and blood products. The clinical significance of human infection with GBV-C/HGV is currently unclear. The virus can establish both acute and chronic infection and appears to be sensitive to interferon. Only some 12-15% of chronic Non-A, B, C hepatitis cases are infected with GBV-C/HGV. A direct association with liver pathology is still lacking and it is not yet clear as to whether GBV-C/HGV is indeed a hepatotropic virus. Current evidence suggests that the spectrum of association of GBV-C/HGV infection with extrahepatic diseases ranges from haematalogical diseases, aplastic anaemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive idiopathic thrombocytopenia and thalassemia, through to common variable immune deficiency and cryoglobunemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sathar
- Department of Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal/King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa
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Abstract
GB Virus C and Hepatitis G Virus (GBV-C/HGV) are positive, single-stranded flaviviruses. GBV-C and HGV are independent isolates of the same virus. Transmission via the blood-borne route is the commonest mode, although vertical and sexual transmission is well documented. GBV-C/HGV is distributed globally; its prevalence in the general population is 10 fold higher in African countries than in non-African countries. High prevalences of GBV-C/HGV have been found in subjects with frequent parenteral exposure and in groups at high risk of exposure to blood and blood products. The clinical significance of human infection with GBV-C/HGV is currently unclear. The virus can establish both acute and chronic infection and appears to be sensitive to interferon. Only some 12-15% of chronic Non-A, B, C hepatitis cases are infected with GBV-C/HGV. A direct association with liver pathology is still lacking and it is not yet clear as to whether GBV-C/HGV is indeed a hepatotropic virus. Current evidence suggests that the spectrum of association of GBV-C/HGV infection with extrahepatic diseases ranges from haematalogical diseases, aplastic anaemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive idiopathic thrombocytopenia and thalassemia, through to common variable immune deficiency and cryoglobunemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sathar
- Department of Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal/King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa
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