Prevalence of GB virus C (hepatitis G virus) and risk factors for infection in São Paulo, Brazil.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
; 21(6): 438-43, 2002 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12111599
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of GB virus C (GBV-C) varies widely throughout the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, to estimate the prevalence of GBV-C infection and to identify associated risk factors, using a large sampling of the general population rather than blood donors or an illness-related group of subjects. GBV-C RNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using primers directed to the 5' noncoding region (NCR) and nonstructural 5A region (NS5A) in serum samples from 1,039 healthy individuals 2 years of age or more. Fifty-two individuals were positive for both sets of primers and one was positive for NS5A only (prevalence of GBV-C infection, 5.1%; 95%CI, 3.9-6.7%). No child under 5 years of age was found positive. Among subjects aged 5 years or more, the prevalence of infection increased consistently with age, up to 30-39 years (8.3%), and decreased from then on. The number of sexual partners in the last 3 years (2 or more OR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.3-5.5) and history of contact with blood-sucking insects (OR, 2.5; 95%CI 1.2-5.4) were independently associated with GBV-C infection. In conclusion, the prevalence of GBV-C infection is high in São Paulo. In addition to parenteral transmission, another route, e.g. sexual or vertical, may be involved.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Flaviviridae Infections
/
Flaviviridae
/
Hepatitis, Viral, Human
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Brasil
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
Journal subject:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Year:
2002
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brasil