BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dual infection by hepatitis GB virus type C (GBV-C) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common. To assess the histopathologic impact of GBV-C infection on liver lesions, liver biopsy specimens of 105 patients chronically infected with HCV, 17 of whom (15%) were also infected with GBV-C, were reviewed. METHODS: Semiquantitative histopathologic assessment of liver lesions was performed using the Knodell's score and the METAVIR grading system. RESULTS: Hepatitis activity was mild, moderate, or severe in 3 (18%), 11 (64%), and 3 (18%) patients, respectively, infected with GBV-C and HCV vs. 26 (29%), 56 (64%), and 6 (7%) patients, respectively, infected with HCV alone (no significant difference). Cirrhosis was present in 4 (24%) coinfected patients vs. 19 (22%) HCV-positive patients (no significant difference). No significant difference in fibrosis, presence of portal lymphoid aggregates, steatosis, and hemosiderosis was observed between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the evaluation of each item of the Knodell's score. CONCLUSIONS: This detailed histopathologic evaluation of GBV-C infection in chronic hepatitis C shows that GBV-C infection does not affect histopathologic severity and characteristics of chronic hepatitis C, thus suggesting a minor role of GBV-C infection in liver disease.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Dual infection by hepatitis GB virus type C (GBV-C) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common. To assess the histopathologic impact of GBV-C infection on liver lesions, liver biopsy specimens of 105 patients chronically infected with HCV, 17 of whom (15%) were also infected with GBV-C, were reviewed. METHODS: Semiquantitative histopathologic assessment of liver lesions was performed using the Knodell's score and the METAVIR grading system. RESULTS:Hepatitis activity was mild, moderate, or severe in 3 (18%), 11 (64%), and 3 (18%) patients, respectively, infected with GBV-C and HCV vs. 26 (29%), 56 (64%), and 6 (7%) patients, respectively, infected with HCV alone (no significant difference). Cirrhosis was present in 4 (24%) coinfected patients vs. 19 (22%) HCV-positive patients (no significant difference). No significant difference in fibrosis, presence of portal lymphoid aggregates, steatosis, and hemosiderosis was observed between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the evaluation of each item of the Knodell's score. CONCLUSIONS: This detailed histopathologic evaluation of GBV-C infection in chronic hepatitis C shows that GBV-C infection does not affect histopathologic severity and characteristics of chronic hepatitis C, thus suggesting a minor role of GBV-C infection in liver disease.
Authors: R Halasz; L Barkholt; C Lara; C Hultgren; Y Ando; U Broomé; B Fischler; A Nemeth; B G Ericzon; A Sönnerborg; M Sällberg Journal: Gut Date: 1999-02 Impact factor: 23.059
Authors: M Radkowski; W Stańczak; B Walewska-Zielecka; T Loch; J Cianciara; L F Wang; T Laskus Journal: Infection Date: 1998 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 3.553
Authors: Mee Juhng Jeon; Jong Hee Shin; Soon Pal Suh; Young Chai Lim; Dong Wook Ryang Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2003-04 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: P Fabris; M R Biasin; D Infantolino; L Romanó; P Benedetti; G Tositti; G P Pellizzer; A R Zanetti; C Stecca; G Marchelle; F de Lalla Journal: Infection Date: 1998 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 3.553