Review of human pegivirus: Prevalence, transmission, pathogenesis, and clinical implication.
Virulence
; 13(1): 324-341, 2022 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35132924
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Flaviviridae Infections
/
GB virus C
/
Hepatitis, Viral, Human
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Virulence
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
China