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Horemheb-Rubio G, Ramos-Cervantes P, Arroyo-Figueroa H, Ávila-Ríos S, García-Morales C, Reyes-Terán G, Escobedo G, Estrada G, García-Iglesias T, Muñoz-Saucedo N, Kershenobich D, Ostrosky-Wegman P, Ruiz-Palacios GM. High HPgV replication is associated with improved surrogate markers of HIV progression. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184494. [PMID: 28910347 PMCID: PMC5598987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human Pegivirus (HPgV) may have a beneficial effect on HIV disease progression in co-infected patients; however, the virologic characteristics of this infection are not well defined. In this study, we determined HPgV viremia prevalence in Mexico and provide new insights to understand HPgV infection and HPgV/HIV co-infection. Methods We analyzed and quantified 7,890 serum samples for HPgV viremia by One-Step RT-Real-Time PCR, 6,484 from healthy blood donors and 1,406 from HIV-infected patients. Data on HIV progression were obtained from patients’ records. HPgV genotyping was performed in 445 samples by nested PCR of the 5’URT region. Finite Mixture Models were used to identify clustering patterns of HPgV viremia in blood donors and co-infected antiretroviral (ART)-naïve patients. Results HPgV was detected in 2.98% of blood donors and 33% of HIV patients, with a wide range of viral loads. The most prevalent genotypes were 3 (58.6%)and 2 (33.7%). HPgV viral loads from healthy blood donors and HPgV/HIV+ ART-naïve co-infected patients were clustered into two component distributions, low and high, with a cut-off point of 5.07log10 and 5.06log10, respectively. High HPgV viremia was associated with improved surrogate markers of HIV infection, independent of the estimated duration of HIV infection or HIV treatment. Conclusions HPgV prevalence in Mexico was similar to that reported for other countries. The prevalent genotypes could be related to Mexico’s geographic location and ethnicity, since genotype 2 is frequent in the United States and Europe and genotype 3 in Asia and Amerindian populations. HPgV viral load demonstrated two patterns of replication, low and high. The more pronounced beneficial response observed in co-infected patients with high HPgV viremia may explain discrepancies found between other studies. Mechanisms explaining high and low HPgV replication should be explored to determine whether the persistently elevated replication depends on host or viral factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gibran Horemheb-Rubio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pilar Ramos-Cervantes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Hugo Arroyo-Figueroa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Santiago Ávila-Ríos
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia García-Morales
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gustavo Reyes-Terán
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Galileo Escobedo
- Liver Pancreas and Intestinal Motility Laboratory, Hospital General de México, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gloria Estrada
- Blood Bank, Hospital General de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Trinidad García-Iglesias
- Immnuology Laboratory, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Nayeli Muñoz-Saucedo
- Immnuology Laboratory, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - David Kershenobich
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Guillermo M. Ruiz-Palacios
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
- * E-mail:
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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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3
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Human pegivirus detected in a patient with severe encephalitis using a metagenomic pan-virus array. J Clin Virol 2016; 77:5-8. [PMID: 26872326 PMCID: PMC7106502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Metagenomic microarray for unbiased detection of virus in patient samples. Discovery of an occult viral infection, HPgV, in the spinal fluid of a patient with severe encephalitis. HPgV can on rare occasions enter the CSF at high viral load, but uncertain if its presence in the CNS has any clinical implications.
We have used a metagenomic microarray to detect genomic RNA from human pegivirus in serum and cerebrospinal fluid from a patient suffering from severe encephalitis. No other pathogen was detected. HPgV in cerebrospinal fluid during encephalitis has never been reported before and its prevalence in cerebrospinal fluid needs further investigation.
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Kapusinszky B, Mulvaney U, Jasinska AJ, Deng X, Freimer N, Delwart E. Local Virus Extinctions following a Host Population Bottleneck. J Virol 2015; 89:8152-61. [PMID: 26018153 PMCID: PMC4524239 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00671-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED A small number of African green monkeys (AGMs) were introduced into the Caribbean from West Africa in the 1600s. To determine the impact of this population bottleneck on the AGM virome, we used metagenomics to compare the viral nucleic acids in the plasma of 43 wild AGMs from West Africa (Gambia) to those in 44 AGMs from the Caribbean (St. Kitts and Nevis). Three viruses were detected in the blood of Gambian primates: simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVagm; in 42% of animals), a novel simian pegivirus (SPgVagm; in 7% of animals), and numerous novel simian anelloviruses (in 100% of animals). Only anelloviruses were detected in the Caribbean AGMs with a prevalence and levels of viral genetic diversity similar to those in the Gambian animals. A host population bottleneck therefore resulted in the exclusion of adult-acquired SIV and pegivirus from the Caribbean AGMs. The successful importation of AGM anelloviruses into the Caribbean may be the result of their early transmission to infants, very high prevalence in African AGMs, and frequent coinfections with as many as 11 distinct variants. IMPORTANCE The extent to which viruses can persist in small isolated populations depends on multiple host, viral, and environmental factors. The absence of prior infections may put an immunologically naive population at risk for disease outbreaks. Isolated populations originating from a small number of founder individuals are therefore considered at increased risk following contact with populations with a greater variety of viruses. Here, we compared the plasma virome of West African green monkeys to that in their descendants after importation of a small number of animals to the Caribbean. A lentivirus and a pegivirus were found in the West African population but not in the Caribbean population. Highly diverse anelloviruses were found in both populations. A small founder population, limited to infants and young juvenile monkeys, may have eliminated the sexually transmitted viruses from the Caribbean AGMs, while anelloviruses, acquired at an earlier age, persisted through the host population bottleneck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Kapusinszky
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Usha Mulvaney
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA University of San Francisco, Department of Biology, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anna J Jasinska
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Xutao Deng
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nelson Freimer
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Eric Delwart
- Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Human pegivirus (GB virus C) NS3 protease activity inhibits induction of the type I interferon response and is not inhibited by HCV NS3 protease inhibitors. Virology 2014; 456-457:300-9. [PMID: 24889249 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We previously found that human pegivirus (HPgV; formerly GBV-C) NS3 protease activity inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) replication in a CD4+ T cell line. Given the protease׳s similarity to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, we characterized HPgV protease activity and asked whether it affects the type I interferon response or is inhibited by HCV protease antagonists. We characterized the activity of proteases with mutations in the catalytic triad and demonstrated that the HCV protease inhibitors Telaprevir, Boceprevir, and Danoprevir do not affect HPgV protease activity. HPgV NS3 protease cleaved MAVS but not TRIF, and it inhibited interferon responses sufficiently to enhance growth of an interferon-sensitive virus. Therefore, HPgV׳s inhibition of the interferon response could help promote HPgV persistence, which is associated with clinical benefits in HIV-infected patients. Our results also imply that HCV protease inhibitors should not interfere with the beneficial effects of HPgV in HPgV/HCV/HIV infected patients.
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Bagasra O, Bagasra AU, Sheraz M, Pace DG. Potential utility of GB virus type C as a preventive vaccine for HIV-1. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 11:335-47. [DOI: 10.1586/erv.11.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Karimi G, Gharehbaghian A, Tafti MF, Vafaiyan V. Emerging infectious threats to the blood supply: seroepidemiological studies in iran - a review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 40:210-7. [PMID: 23922546 DOI: 10.1159/000351540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY The risk of transfusion-transmitted infections has been greatly reduced by improvements in donor screening and testing. However, newly recognized blood-borne infectious agents can be threats to blood safety. In order to evaluate the prevalence some of these agents in blood donors, a systematic review was conducted. Data were obtained from published papers related to HGV, Torque Teno virus (TTV), HTLV, West Nile virus (WNV) and SEN virus (SEN-V). Based on these studies, the prevalence of HGV varied from 1 to 8.6% for anti-E2 and from 0 to 4.8% for HGV RNA. The prevalence of TTV DNA and HTLV-I varied from 2.7 to 79.5% and from 0.013 to 2.3%, respectively. The WNV-specific IgM antibody and WNV RNA are negative in blood donors. Prevalence rates of SEN-V in Iranian blood donors range from 23 to 90.8%. Consequences of these infectious agents for blood safety are different. Thus, the need to perform laboratory screening as well as effectiveness and efficiency of laboratory tests depend on pathogenicity level and epidemiological conditions of emerging infections. However, being prepared based on the current level of risk and interventions to reduce the risk can be effective in reducing the potential threat for blood supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gharib Karimi
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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8
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Vahidnia F, Petersen M, Stapleton JT, Rutherford GW, Busch M, Custer B. Acquisition of GB virus type C and lower mortality in patients with advanced HIV disease. Clin Infect Dis 2012; 55:1012-9. [PMID: 22752515 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GB virus type C (GBV-C) is transmitted by sexual or parenteral exposure and is prevalent among patients receiving blood products. GBV-C is associated with lower human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA and better survival among HIV-infected patients. Open questions are the presence and the direction of any causal relationship between GBV-C infection and HIV disease markers in the context of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS We used a limited access database obtained from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Viral Activation Transfusion Study (VATS), a randomized controlled trial of leukoreduced vs nonleukoreduced transfusions to HIV-infected transfusion-naive patients. Blood samples from 489 subjects were tested for GBV-C markers. Cox regression models and inverse probability of treatment weights were used to examine the association between GBV-C coinfection and mortality in the VATS cohort. RESULTS We found a significant reduction in mortality among GBV-C coinfected VATS subjects, after adjusting for HAART status, HIV RNA level, and CD4 cell count at baseline. Acquisition of GBV-C RNA (n = 39) was associated with lower mortality in 294 subjects who were GBV-C negative at baseline, adjusting for baseline covariates (hazard ratio = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .08-.58) and in models in which weights were used to control for time-updated covariates (odds ratio = 0.21, 95% CI: .08-.60). CONCLUSIONS GBV-C viremia is associated with lower mortality, and GBV-C acquisition via transfusion is associated with a significant reduction in mortality in HIV-infected individuals, controlling for HIV disease markers. These findings provide the first evidence that incident GBV-C infection alters mortality in HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Vahidnia
- Blood Systems Research Institute, Epidemiology, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
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9
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Vahidnia F, Petersen M, Rutherford G, Busch M, Assmann S, Stapleton JT, Custer B. Transmission of GB virus type C via transfusion in a cohort of HIV-infected patients. J Infect Dis 2012; 205:1436-42. [PMID: 22438325 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GB virus C (GBV-C) infection is transmitted by blood exposure and associated with lower human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) load and slower HIV disease progression. Few studies describe predictors of acute GBV-C infection following transfusion in HIV-infected patients. METHODS We used a limited-access database from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's Viral Activation Transfusion Study, a randomized controlled trial of leukoreduced versus nonleukoreduced transfusions received by HIV-infected, transfusion-naive patients. Blood samples from 489 subjects were tested for GBV-C markers in pretransfusion and posttransfusion samples. We estimated the risk of acquiring GBV-C RNA and predictors of GBV-C acquisition, using pooled logistic regression. RESULTS GBV-C RNA was detected ≤120 days following the first transfusion in 22 (7.5%) of 294 subjects who were GBV-C negative before transfusion. The risk of GBV-C RNA acquisition increased with each unit transfused (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.11). Lower baseline HIV load and use of antiretroviral therapy were associated with subsequent GBV-C RNA acquisition, after control for units of blood transfused. Leukoreduced status of transfused units was not associated with GBV-C transmission. CONCLUSIONS Blood transfusion is associated with a significant risk of GBV-C acquisition among HIV-infected patients. Transmission of GBV-C by blood transfusion was inversely related to HIV load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Vahidnia
- Department of Epidemiology, Blood Systems Research Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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10
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Kriesel JD, Hobbs MR, Jones BB, Milash B, Nagra RM, Fischer KF. Deep sequencing for the detection of virus-like sequences in the brains of patients with multiple sclerosis: detection of GBV-C in human brain. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31886. [PMID: 22412845 PMCID: PMC3297595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of unknown origin that affects the central nervous system of an estimated 400,000 Americans. GBV-C or hepatitis G is a flavivirus that is found in the serum of 1–2% of blood donors. It was originally associated with hepatitis, but is now believed to be a relatively non-pathogenic lymphotropic virus. Fifty frozen specimens from the brains of deceased persons affected by MS were obtained along with 15 normal control brain specimens. RNA was extracted and ribosomal RNAs were depleted before sequencing on the Illumina GAII. These 36 bp reads were compared with a non-redundant database derived from the 600,000+ viral sequences in GenBank organized into 4080 taxa. An individual read successfully aligned to the viral database was considered to be a “hit”. Normalized MS specimen hit rates for each viral taxon were compared to the distribution of hits in the normal controls. Seventeen MS and 11 control brain extracts were sequenced, yielding 4–10 million sequences (“reads”) each. Over-representation of sequence from at least one of 12 viral taxa was observed in 7 of the 17 MS samples. Sequences resembling other viruses previously implicated in the pathogenesis of MS were not significantly enriched in any of the diseased brain specimens. Sequences from GB virus C (GBV-C), a flavivirus not previously isolated from brain, were enriched in one of the MS samples. GBV-C in this brain specimen was confirmed by specific amplification in this single MS brain specimen, but not in the 30 other MS brain samples available. The entire 9.4 kb sequence of this GBV-C isolate is reported here. This study shows the feasibility of deep sequencing for the detection of occult viral infections in the brains of deceased persons with MS. The first isolation of GBV-C from human brain is reported here.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Kriesel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America.
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Feng Y, Zhao W, Feng Y, Dai J, Li Z, Zhang X, Liu L, Bai J, Zhang H, Lu L, Xia X. A novel genotype of GB virus C: its identification and predominance among injecting drug users in Yunnan, China. PLoS One 2011; 6:e21151. [PMID: 21998624 PMCID: PMC3188531 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 05/20/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
GB virus C (GBV-C) is prevalent globally and particularly among individuals at risk of parental exposures. Based on genetic diversity, this virus is now classified into six genotypes and many subtypes with distinct geographical distribution. In this study, 120 Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) were recruited from Yunnan province, China. Among them, 43 (35.8%) were positive for GBV-C RNA, 70 (58.3%) and 103 (85.8%) sero-positive for HIV-1 and HCV respectively. This revealed 18.3% of IDUs having GBV-C/HIV/HCV triple infection, which is significantly higher than 7.5% of GBV-C/HIV-1 and 10% of GBV-C/HCV dual infection rates (P<0.05). Based on 5′UTR sequences, the identified 43 viral isolates can be classified into three phylogenetic groups: one (2.3%) and two (4.7%) belonged to genotype 3 and 4, respectively, and the remaining 40 (93%) formed a new group with 97% of bootstrap support. This new GBV-C group was further confirmed by characterizing the E2 region and full-length genome sequences. Analysis of 187 nt 5′UTR sequence showed three previous reported isolates from Southeast Asia were re-classified into this new group. It implies they have the same origin with strains from Yunnan. Although we provisionally assigned this new group as GBV-C genotype 7, a simpler five groups of GBV-C nomenclature is recommended. Genotype 4, 6 and the newly designated genotype 7 could be reclassified as one group, which may represent a single GBV-C genotype. The classification of the other four groups was corresponding to that of previous reported genotype 1, 2, 3 and 5. Furthermore, the diversity of amino acid sequence in the E2 region was analyzed. The inhibitory effect of GBV-C genotype 7 on HIV-1 cell entry could be deduced. Since GBV-C may have a beneficial effect on AIDS disease progression and interact with HCV during co-infection, this finding may raise interests in future studies on this virus that was previously thought to be a “non-pathogenic virus”.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Feng
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering and Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenhua Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Animal Viral Diseases in Yunnan province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuemei Feng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Jiejie Dai
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zheng Li
- The Clinical Laboratory Center of Yunnan Province, Affiliated Kunhua Hospital of Kunming Medical College, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- Research Center of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University , Shanghai, China
| | - Li Liu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering and Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering and Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Huatang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | - Ling Lu
- The Viral Oncology Center, Department of Pathology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, United States of America
- Laboratory of Hepatology, 3rd Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering and Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
- * E-mail:
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Alvarado-Mora MV, Botelho L, Nishiya A, Neto RA, Gomes-Gouvêa MS, Gutierrez MF, Carrilho FJ, Pinho JRR. Frequency and genotypic distribution of GB virus C (GBV-C) among Colombian population with Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Virol J 2011; 8:345. [PMID: 21745373 PMCID: PMC3142244 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND GB virus C (GBV-C) is an enveloped positive-sense ssRNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. Studies on the genetic variability of the GBV-C reveals the existence of six genotypes: genotype 1 predominates in West Africa, genotype 2 in Europe and America, genotype 3 in Asia, genotype 4 in Southwest Asia, genotype 5 in South Africa and genotype 6 in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotypic distribution of GBV-C in the Colombian population. METHODS Two groups were analyzed: i) 408 Colombian blood donors infected with HCV (n = 250) and HBV (n = 158) from Bogotá and ii) 99 indigenous people with HBV infection from Leticia, Amazonas. A fragment of 344 bp from the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) was amplified by nested RT PCR. Viral sequences were genotyped by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences from each genotype obtained from GenBank (n = 160). Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3. RESULTS Among blood donors, from 158 HBsAg positive samples, eight 5.06% (n = 8) were positive for GBV-C and from 250 anti-HCV positive samples, 3.2%(n = 8) were positive for GBV-C. Also, 7.7% (n = 7) GBV-C positive samples were found among indigenous people from Leticia. A phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the following GBV-C genotypes among blood donors: 2a (41.6%), 1 (33.3%), 3 (16.6%) and 2b (8.3%). All genotype 1 sequences were found in co-infection with HBV and 4/5 sequences genotype 2a were found in co-infection with HCV. All sequences from indigenous people from Leticia were classified as genotype 3. The presence of GBV-C infection was not correlated with the sex (p = 0.43), age (p = 0.38) or origin (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS It was found a high frequency of GBV-C genotype 1 and 2 in blood donors. The presence of genotype 3 in indigenous population was previously reported from Santa Marta region in Colombia and in native people from Venezuela and Bolivia. This fact may be correlated to the ancient movements of Asian people to South America a long time ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica V Alvarado-Mora
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Botelho
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Raymundo A Neto
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Michele S Gomes-Gouvêa
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria F Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Microbiology, Pontificia Javeriana University, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Flair J Carrilho
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João RR Pinho
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, São Paulo Institute of Tropical Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Bhanich Supapol W, Remis RS, Raboud J, Millson M, Tappero J, Kaul R, Kulkarni P, McConnell MS, Philip AM, McNicholl JM, Roongpisuthipong A, Chotpitayasunondh T, Shaffer N, Butera S. Prevalence and correlates of GB virus C infection in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant women in Bangkok, Thailand. J Med Virol 2010; 83:33-44. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Bernardin F, Operskalski E, Busch M, Delwart E. Transfusion transmission of highly prevalent commensal human viruses. Transfusion 2010; 50:2474-83. [PMID: 20497515 DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2010.02699.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Flavien Bernardin
- Blood Systems Research Institute and the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94118, USA
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Shankar EM, Balakrishnan P, Vignesh R, Velu V, Jayakumar P, Solomon S. Current Views on the Pathophysiology of GB Virus C Coinfection with HIV-1 Infection. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2010; 13:47-52. [DOI: 10.1007/s11908-010-0142-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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16
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Krajden M, Yu A, Braybrook H, Lai AS, Mak A, Chow R, Cook D, Tellier R, Petric M, Gascoyne RD, Connors JM, Brooks-Wilson AR, Gallagher RP, Spinelli JJ. GBV-C/hepatitis G virus infection and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a case control study. Int J Cancer 2010; 126:2885-92. [PMID: 19904755 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether there was an association between GBV-C viremia and the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in 553 NHL cases and 438 controls from British Columbia, Canada. Cases were aged 20-79, diagnosed between March 2000 and February 2004, and resident in Greater Vancouver or Victoria. Cases and controls were tested for GBV-C RNA by RT-PCR and positive samples were genotyped. Overall, GBV-C RNA was detected in 4.5% of NHL cases vs. 1.8% of controls [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-6.69]. The association between GBV-C RNA detection and NHL remained even after individuals with a history of prior transfusion, injection drug use and hepatitis C virus sero-positivity were excluded. GBV-C viremia showed the strongest association with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (adjusted OR = 5.18, 95% CI = 2.06-13.71). Genotyping was performed on 29/33 GBV-C RNA positive individuals; genotypes 2a (n = 22); 2b (n = 5) and 3 (n = 2) were identified, consistent with the distribution of genotypes found in North America. This is the largest case-control study to date associating GBV-C viremia and NHL risk. As GBV-C is known to be transmitted through blood products this may have important implications for blood safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mel Krajden
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Berzsenyi MD, Bowden DS, Roberts SK, Revill PA. GB virus C genotype 2 predominance in a hepatitis C virus/HIV infected population associated with reduced liver disease. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009; 24:1407-10. [PMID: 19702909 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.05920.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM GB virus C (GBV-C) infection in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV co-infection is associated with a significant reduction in the severity of HCV-related liver disease. The role of GBV-C genotype in this association is unknown. It has been suggested that GBV-C genotype may influence CD4 positive T-cell counts in HCV/HIV co-infected patients. The aim of the present study was to identify the GBV-C genotype in a HCV/HIV co-infected population and determine if the GBV-C genotype contributes to a reduction in HCV-related liver disease. METHODS GBV-C RNA from 57 patients who were co-infected with HCV/HIV was analyzed. GBV-C RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers to the NS5B gene and genotype determined by phylogenetic analysis after sequencing using E2 gene primers. RESULTS Genotype 2 was the predominant isolate in our population and was detected in 50/56 (89.3%) of patients, although sequences with similarity to genotypes 1, 3, 4 and 5 were also identified. There was no statistical difference between CD4 positive T-cell counts in the GBV-C genotype 2 and non-genotype 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS The GBV-C genotype distribution in our HCV/HIV patient group was consistent with that reported in other developed countries. The predominance of genotype 2 in this study meant that we could not draw a conclusion for the role of GBV-C genotype in the reduced severity of liver disease in co-infected patients but CD4 positive T-cell counts appeared to be unaffected by GBV-C genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Berzsenyi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
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18
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Shankar EM, Solomon SS, Vignesh R, Murugavel KG, Sundaram M, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P, Kumarasamy N. GB virus infection: a silent anti-HIV panacea within? Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2008; 102:1176-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2008] [Revised: 04/24/2008] [Accepted: 04/24/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Berzsenyi MD, Bowden DS, Kelly HA, Watson KM, Mijch AM, Hammond RA, Crowe SM, Roberts SK. Reduction in hepatitis C-related liver disease associated with GB virus C in human immunodeficiency virus coinfection. Gastroenterology 2007; 133:1821-30. [PMID: 18054555 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2007.08.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 08/16/2007] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS It has been reported that GB virus C infection (GBV-C) leads to improved morbidity and mortality in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, GBV-C has no effect on the course of liver disease in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfection. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of GBV-C infection on liver disease in patients with HCV/HIV coinfection. METHODS Data on 158 HCV/HIV patients were collected from January 1996 to October 2005. Two plasma specimens, collected at least 18 months apart, were tested for GBV-C RNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers to the NS5B gene and confirmed using E2 gene primers and sequencing. Antibodies to GBV-C E2 protein were also determined. Liver-related morbidity and mortality were assessed from patient records. RESULTS Fifty-seven of 158 (36%) patients had GBV-C RNA and 94 (59%) had evidence of exposure to GBV-C based on combined polymerase chain reaction and antibody results. Thirty-four (21%) patients had features of cirrhosis, with 20 having compensated and 14 having decompensated cirrhosis. Active GBV-C RNA was significantly associated with a reduction in cirrhosis, both compensated and decompensated in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.88; P = .03), as well as in analysis for cirrhosis-free survival vs duration of HCV infection (P = .006). No significant effect on liver-related or overall survival was observed. CONCLUSIONS In these HCV/HIV-coinfected patients, GBV-C RNA was associated with a significant reduction in the severity of HCV-related liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Berzsenyi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria, Australia
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Berzsenyi MD, Bowden DS, Roberts SK. GB virus C: insights into co-infection. J Clin Virol 2005; 33:257-66. [PMID: 15922655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2005.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2005] [Revised: 03/22/2005] [Accepted: 04/01/2005] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
GB virus C (GBV-C) is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus, which is a member of the Flaviviridae. It has a close sequence homology and genomic organisation to hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, unlike HCV it is not hepatotrophic. GBV-C replicates within cells of the haemopoietic lineage, in particular lymphocytes. No disease has been associated with GBV-C infection but co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to improved morbidity and mortality for the HIV infected individual and slows progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This potential benefit of GBV-C has been demonstrated in the pre and post highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) eras. GBV-C has been found to decrease HIV replication in in vitro models. The mechanism of the beneficial effect of GBV-C appears to be mediated by alterations in the cellular immune response, the details of which remain unclear. Despite this, there continues to be controversy regarding the influence of GBV-C on HIV as several reports have questioned the beneficial effect. GBV-C does not appear to influence liver related disease in subjects co-infected with HCV or hepatitis B virus (HBV). Combination of HIV and HCV leads to accelerated liver disease. The influence of GBV-C in this situation is yet to be determined. Elucidation of the putative protective effect of GBV-C in HIV co-infection could potentially identify novel targets for anti-HIV therapeutics and lead to the development of disease modifying vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Berzsenyi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran 3181, Victoria, Australia.
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Berzsenyi MD, Bowden DS, Bailey MJ, White C, Coghlan P, Dudley FJ, Roberts SK. Male to male sex is associated with a high prevalence of exposure to GB virus C. J Clin Virol 2005; 33:243-6. [PMID: 15911447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2005.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2005] [Accepted: 01/17/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Co-infection with GB virus C (GBV-C) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appears to reduce mortality for HIV/AIDS. Epidemiological and demographic factors for GBV-C were examined prospectively in 167 subjects at risk for co-infection. We attempted to establish a hierarchical exposure risk for GBV-C. Overall exposure to GBV-C was 45.5%. In univariate analysis, GBV-C was associated with male to male sex (P<0.0001), HIV infection (P=0.0005) and hepatitis B infection (P=0.006). Injecting drug use approached statistical significance (P=0.08) while being a female sex worker was not associated with GBV-C exposure/infection (P=0.85). Exposure to GBV-C in 192 healthy blood donors was found to be 9.4%. In conclusion, the data suggest that male to male sex is a more effective mode of transmission of GBV-C and that GBV-C is associated with HIV co-infection. As male to male sex is also a risk factor for HIV transmission our data suggest that many may benefit from the potential protective effect GBV-C exerts on HIV-infected persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Berzsenyi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran, 3181 Vic., Australia
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Björkman P, Flamholc L, Nauclér A, Molnegren V, Wallmark E, Widell A. GB virus C during the natural course of HIV-1 infection: viremia at diagnosis does not predict mortality. AIDS 2004; 18:877-86. [PMID: 15060435 DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200404090-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether GBV-C viremia at diagnosis of HIV-1 infection predicts disease outcome in patients not receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), and whether longitudinal changes in GBV-C viremia are associated with disease progression. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS 230 patients with a serum sample available for testing obtained within 2 years of HIV-1 diagnosis were followed until either initiation of ART, death, or their last visit to our clinic (median follow-up 4.3 years). Baseline and follow-up serum samples (available from 163 patients) were tested for GBV-C RNA and antibodies against GBV-C envelope E2 protein (anti-E2; signifying resolved GBV-C viremia). RESULTS At inclusion, 62 patients (27%) had GBV-C viremia and 69 (30%) had anti-E2. Baseline GBV-C status was not associated with all-cause mortality (P = 0.12), HIV-related mortality (P = 0.18), or development of AIDS (P = 0.84). However, GBV-C RNA was less prevalent in patients with AIDS at inclusion (P = 0.008). Eleven of 44 patients with baseline GBV-C viremia lost GBV-C RNA during follow-up without showing anti-E2 seroconversion. In comparison with anti-E2-negative patients with either persistent absence, persistent presence, or acquisition of GBV-C viremia, these subjects had significantly increased all-cause mortality (P = 0.018), HIV-related mortality (P = 0.007), and AIDS incidence (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS GBV-C status at diagnosis did not predict disease outcome in this HIV cohort. GBV-C viremia was rare in patients with AIDS, and tended to disappear without occurrence of anti-E2 in patients with progressive disease. This suggests that the GBV-C status of HIV-1-infected patients could be a phenomenon secondary to HIV progression, rather than an independent prognostic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Björkman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medical Microbiology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
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Seifried C, Weber M, Bialleck H, Seifried E, Schrezenmeier H, Roth WK. High prevalence of GBV-C/HGV among relatives of GBV-C/HGV-positive blood donors in blood recipients and in patients with aplastic anemia. Transfusion 2004; 44:268-74. [PMID: 14962319 DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2004.00665.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of GB virus C (GBV-C)/HGV is high in individuals with parenteral risk factors. The frequency of GBV-C/HGV in blood donors is significantly lower, however it is still far above other parenterally transmitted viruses like HBV and HCV. Therefore, transmission routes apart from parenteral transmission must be considered. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The purpose of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV in blood donors and relatives of GBV-C/HGV-positive and -negative blood donors. Prevalence was also analyzed in aplastic anemia patients. Samples were tested by RT-PCR and partially by ELISA. Positive isolates were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS A total of 5733 blood donors were PCR tested and 90 were positive (1.6%). Of these, 98 relatives could be tested. Viremia was found in 14.3 percent and anti-E2 in 29.5 percent, whereas only 1.1 percent of the relatives of PCR-negative donors were viremic and 8.5 percent were anti-E2 positive. Probable virus transmission could be shown in two couples and in six mother-child pairs by sequencing of isolates indicating horizontal and vertical virus transmission, respectively. Recipients of GBV-C/HGV RNA-positive blood products were shown to be infected at a rate of 58 percent (18/31). Aplastic anemia patients were positive at a rate of 32 percent (17/53). CONCLUSION The high percentage of 14.3 percent of GBV-C/HGV PCR-positive relatives of GBV-C/HGV-positive blood donors suggests intrafamilial transmission. Sequence analyses revealed vertical and horizontal transmission. Although parenteral transmission is highly efficient for GBV-C/HGV (58% of recipients of GBV-C/HGV RNA-positive blood products and 32% of aplastic anemia patients), it appears that sexual and vertical transmission are the most common transmission routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Seifried
- Chemotherapeutisches Forschungsinstitut Georg-Speyer-Haus, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Christensen PB, Fisker N, Mygind LH, Krarup HB, Wedderkopp N, Varming K, Georgsen J. GB virus C epidemiology in Denmark: different routes of transmission in children and low- and high-risk adults. J Med Virol 2003; 70:156-62. [PMID: 12629658 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
With the demonstration of an effect of GBV-C infection on the outcome of HIV infection, it has become important to understand the epidemiology of GBV-C. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence in high- and low-risk populations. The following populations were tested: school children, 9 and 15 years of age (n = 901), blood donors (n = 5,203), hospital employees (n = 1,432), and prisoners and injecting drug users (n = 447). In-house RT-PCR for GBV-CRNA was used together with a commercial ELISA for anti-E2 (Boehringer, Germany). In addition, questionnaires for risk factors for transmission and serological tests for HIV and hepatitis were applied. The overall prevalence of GBV-CRNA was 1.4% among children, 2.2% among blood donors, 2.2% among hospital employees, 12.5% among non-injecting prisoners, and 34.9% among drug injectors. Correspondingly anti-E2 was found in 0.3%, 12.3%, 25.0%, and 42.7%. Among hospital employees, independent risk factors for GBV-C were professions with blood exposure and sexual risk partners. Among prisoners and drug users, injecting and a sexual risk index were associated independently with GBV-C. Based on these results, the following hypothesis is suggested: GBV-C is transmitted frequently at birth or early childhood and this leads to chronic infection in most cases. Sexual transmission is the most important route of transmission in the adult population but this infection is usually transient. Blood borne transmission plays a role among health care workers and injecting drug users and GBV-C should be further evaluated as a surrogate marker for professional blood exposure.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Blood Donors
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Denmark/epidemiology
- Female
- Flaviviridae Infections/epidemiology
- Flaviviridae Infections/transmission
- GB virus C/genetics
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/blood
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/transmission
- Humans
- Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient
- Male
- Prisoners
- Risk Factors
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral/epidemiology
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Transfusion Reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer B Christensen
- Departement C of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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