Afro-Egypt J Infect Endem Dis 2013 Septemper ;3(3):105

 

The Prevalence of Hepatitis G Virus Infection among Hemodialysis and Chronic Hepatitis Patients

 

Shawky NM, Ibrahim T, Metwally A

 

Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine,Zagazig University,Egypt.
ametwally75@yahoo.com

 

                              

 

ABSTRACT

Background and study aim: HGV is a type of hepatitis viruses discovered in 1995. HGV is transmitted through parenteral route and seldom seen alone. The clinical course is usually subclinical anicteric and spontaneous clearance of virus particles is common after two years with appearance of anti-HGV antibodies. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of HGV infection problem and the impact of HGV infection on the affected patients.

Patients and methods:64 patients were included in this study, 22 hemodialysis patients, 22 chronic hepatitis patients as well as 20 healthy control subjects. RT PCR was done for HGV RNA to all subjects as well as routine laboratory investigations and anti HCV Ab and HBsAg.

Results : HGV was positive in 5% of healthy controls, 50% of hemodialysis patients, and 36.4% in chronic hepatitis patients. The prevalence of HGV mono-infection was 9.1% in all patients and prevalence of HGV co-infection with HCV and/or HBV was 36.4%. There were no significant differences between HGV positive and negative subjects as regard age, gender distribution, clinical or laboratory measures.

Conclusion : HGV has high prevalence among hemodialysis and chronic hepatitis patients. HGV infection doesn't have an impact on patients clinical or laboratory parameters.