[Epidemiology of hepatitis G virus infection in Japan]

Nihon Rinsho. 1997 Mar;55(3):604-8.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Hepatitis G virus(HGV) is a new RNA virus that is most closely related to members of the Flaviviridae family. HGV RNA was found in only a low percentage of patients with either acute or chronic non-A-E hepatitis. HGV appears to co-infect or superinfect in 10-15% of HCV infections, and in 5-15% of HBV infections. The prevalence of HGV infection(0.8%) among voluntary blood donor in Japan is similar to that for HCV infection. A history of blood transfusion was obtained in 50-60% of HGV RNA positive subjects. HGV was also detected in about 10% of hemodialysis patients. Finally, isolated HGV infection appears to have a low disease burden.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Donors
  • Flaviviridae*
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / transmission
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects
  • Transfusion Reaction

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • RNA, Viral