RESUMO
AIMS/BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) infection in chronic hepatitis B is not well known and its role in the outcome of liver disease was investigated. METHODS: HGV-RNA and antibody to HGV (anti-E2) were studied in 125 patients with chronic hepatitis B (41 with multiple hepatitis virus exposure), 82 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers and 103 healthy adults. RESULTS: In chronic hepatitis B, HGV-RNA was more frequent in patients with HDV infection and/or anti-HCV positivity than in those without (29% vs 6%, p<0.0001), mainly in drug addicts (38%). At diagnosis the overall prevalence of any marker (HGV-RNA plus anti-E2) was similar in chronic hepatitis due to HBV alone (17%), in HBsAg carriers (16%) and in healthy adults (17%) and increased to 58% in those exposed to HDV and/or HCV. During 1-11 years of follow-up, HGV infection persisted in 70% of patients with chronic hepatitis B. About 400% of HGV persistently coinfected patients underwent sustained biochemical remission, whereas continuing disease activity was observed in 80% of patients who cleared HGV-RNA. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic HBV infection the rate of exposure to HGV is similar to that in healthy adults, except for high risk patients. Long lasting HGV coinfection or anti-E2 seroconversion did not modify the course of chronic hepatitis B.
Assuntos
Flaviviridae , Vírus da Hepatite B , Hepatite B Crônica/fisiopatologia , Hepatite Viral Humana/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Idoso , Primers do DNA/química , Feminino , Flaviviridae/genética , Flaviviridae/imunologia , Flaviviridae/isolamento & purificação , Seguimentos , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite/análise , Vírus da Hepatite B/imunologia , Vírus da Hepatite B/isolamento & purificação , Hepatite B Crônica/virologia , Vírus Delta da Hepatite/genética , Vírus Delta da Hepatite/isolamento & purificação , Hepatite Viral Humana/virologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , RNA Viral/análise , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/análiseRESUMO
Investigations were made for anti-HBs and anti-HBe antibodies, markers of hepatitis B virus, in a population of HBsAg negative blood donors, but exhibiting high serum transaminase (ALT) values. 25.9% of this population was found to be positive for at least one type of marker antibody. The samples found to be positive only for anti-HBe were examined for anti-HBc antibodies. These donors were re-examined over a period of time until the anti-HBs antibodies disappeared. Further studies will have to be carried out in order to verify whether those samples of blood found to be positive for anti-HBc and/or anti-HBe are really infecting. The advisability of a systematic ALT activity check in all blood donors is stressed.
Assuntos
Doadores de Sangue , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite B/análise , Alanina Transaminase/sangue , Antígenos do Núcleo do Vírus da Hepatite B/imunologia , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/imunologia , Antígenos E da Hepatite B/imunologia , HumanosRESUMO
IgA, IgG and IgM serum levels in 603 normal blood donors (510 males and 93 females) have been calculated by the method of single radial immunodiffusion. In every immunoglobulin class the normal values and other important statistical parameters have been determined. Several statistical examinations have been executed to test the influence of some factors as sex, weight, age and number of blood donations on IgA, IgG and IgM serum levels.
