BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C are often coinfected with the new identified Flaviviridae-like agent, termed hepatitis G virus (HGV). The aim of the study was to investigate the responsiveness of hepatitis G virus to interferon alpha and to evaluate whether a hepatitis G virus coinfection negatively influences the outcome of treatment in chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon alpha and investigated for the presence of hepatitis G virus coinfection by nested polymerase chain reaction with primers from the helicase region of hepatitis G virus. All patients received at least 3 MU (range 3-6) interferon alpha thrice weekly for at least 6 months (mean 8, range 6-12). Polymerase chain reaction products of seven pre- and post-treatment hepatitis G virus positive patients were directly sequenced for identification of sequence variability during the follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen (16%) patients were coinfected with hepatitis G virus. Although nine (50%) of these patients became HGV RNA negative during interferon alpha therapy, only three patients (17%) remained HGV RNA negative at the end of follow-up (mean 24 months). The rate of sustained response of chronic hepatitis C was not significantly different between patients with hepatitis C virus infection and HCV/HGV coinfection (19% vs 28%). Severity of liver disease as determined by alanine aminotransferase levels, histology and hepatitis C virus viremia was not significantly different in patients with hepatitis C virus or HCV/HGV coinfection. Sequence analysis of the helicase region revealed that our isolates all belonged to the hepatitis G virus and not to the GBV-C like genotype. No amino acid exchanges during the observation period of up to 48 months were observed, indicating that this region is highly conserved. CONCLUSIONS: The responsiveness of hepatitis G virus to interferon alpha in chronic HCV/HGV coinfected patients is similar to that observed in chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis G virus coinfection seems not to interfere with the efficacy of interferon alpha treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C are often coinfected with the new identified Flaviviridae-like agent, termed hepatitis G virus (HGV). The aim of the study was to investigate the responsiveness of hepatitis G virus to interferon alpha and to evaluate whether a hepatitis G virus coinfection negatively influences the outcome of treatment in chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon alpha and investigated for the presence of hepatitis G virus coinfection by nested polymerase chain reaction with primers from the helicase region of hepatitis G virus. All patients received at least 3 MU (range 3-6) interferon alpha thrice weekly for at least 6 months (mean 8, range 6-12). Polymerase chain reaction products of seven pre- and post-treatment hepatitis G virus positive patients were directly sequenced for identification of sequence variability during the follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen (16%) patients were coinfected with hepatitis G virus. Although nine (50%) of these patients became HGV RNA negative during interferon alpha therapy, only three patients (17%) remained HGV RNA negative at the end of follow-up (mean 24 months). The rate of sustained response of chronic hepatitis C was not significantly different between patients with hepatitis C virus infection and HCV/HGV coinfection (19% vs 28%). Severity of liver disease as determined by alanine aminotransferase levels, histology and hepatitis C virus viremia was not significantly different in patients with hepatitis C virus or HCV/HGV coinfection. Sequence analysis of the helicase region revealed that our isolates all belonged to the hepatitis G virus and not to the GBV-C like genotype. No amino acid exchanges during the observation period of up to 48 months were observed, indicating that this region is highly conserved. CONCLUSIONS: The responsiveness of hepatitis G virus to interferon alpha in chronic HCV/HGV coinfectedpatients is similar to that observed in chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis G virus coinfection seems not to interfere with the efficacy of interferon alpha treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Authors: I D Diamantis; E Kouroumalis; M Koulentaki; E Fasler-Kan; P A Schmid; H H Hirsch; H Bühler; K Gyr; M Battegay Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 1997-12 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: M Guilera; J C Sáiz; F X López-Labrador; E Olmedo; S Ampurdanés; X Forns; J Bruix; A Parés; J M Sánchez-Tapias; M T Jiménez de Anta; J Rodés Journal: Gut Date: 1998-01 Impact factor: 23.059