Hepatitis G virus infection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected mothers and their children

J Infect Dis. 1998 Sep;178(3):862-5. doi: 10.1086/515344.

Abstract

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA and anti-E2 glycoprotein antibody (E2Ab) seroprevalence was studied in 58 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected mothers (34 injecting drug users [IDUs] and 24 with risky sexual behavior [RSB]) and their children (median age, 5 days; range, 1-27). Twelve women (20.6%) were RNA- and 20 (34.4%) E2Ab-positive. Seroprevalence was similar in the IDU and RSB groups and high in RSB partners of IDU men. Five (41.6%) children of RNA-positive mothers were HGV-infected, at a median age of 5 days (range, 1-27), independent of maternal CD4 T lymphocyte numbers, mode of delivery, and HIV-1 transmission; no other child at risk became RNA-positive subsequently. No HGV-infected child (follow-up, 16 months; range, 12-52) showed increased liver enzyme levels; 3 children cleared RNA and E2Ab-seroconverted after 10-48 months. Thus, in HIV-1-infected women, HGV infection is common and also sexually transmitted, and clearance may be impaired. Mother-to-child transmission is frequent and occurs antenatally; children remain long infected without evident disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / transmission
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / virology
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Flaviviridae* / genetics
  • Flaviviridae* / immunology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV-1*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B / immunology
  • Hepatitis B / transmission
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Hepatitis D
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / transmission
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / virology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Male
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein E2, GB virus C