Purpose: The role of GBV-C/HGV virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology has been studied. Two groups of patients have been included: a) 50 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis (mean age 47 yrs; M/F = 35/15), negative for markers of hepatitis viruses (HBV-HCV). These patients did not show evidence of metabolic, autoimmune, alcoholic or toxic liver disease; b) 50 healthy blood donors (mean age 35 yrs; M/F = 35/15). All the subjects were HIV-seronegative.
Patients and methods: The detection of GBV-C/HGV RNA was performed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques and capillary zone electrophoresis analysis (CZE).
Results: There was no difference between the two groups of patients (14% vs 6%; p = 0.18 NS).
Conclusions: The etiopathogenetic role of GBV-C/HGV in chronic hepatitis of unknown etiology is yet to be shown.