Am J Gastroenterol. 1999 Jun; 94(6): 1627-31.

Intraspousal transmission of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus in an hepatitis C virus hyperendemic area in Japan.

Akiyoshi F, Sata M, Noguchi S, Suzuki H, Ide T, Uchimura Y, Sasaki M, Tanaka K, Miyajima I, Mizokami M, Tanikawa K.

Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.

OBJECTIVE: An immunoassay for antibodies against an hepatitis G virus (HGV) protein (anti-E2) was recently developed that might serve as a useful marker for diagnosing recovery from HGV infection. METHODS: We investigated the intraspousal transmission of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) using both reverse transcription hemipolymerase chain reaction (RT-hemi-PCR for the 5' untranslated region) and a recently developed anti-E2. RESULTS: Thirty-two GBV-C/HGV-infected index subjects were selected from an hepatitis C virus hyperendemic area in Japan. Of the 32 subjects, seven (6.4%) were GBV-C/HGV RNA-positive, 24 (21.8%) were anti-E2-positive, and one (0.9%) was both GBV-C/HGV RNA- and anti-E2-positive. Among the 32 spouses of these subjects, GBV-C/HGV RNA, anti-E2, and both GBV-C/HGV RNA and anti-E2 positivity were detected in 0, 6, (18.8%), and one (3.1%) spouses, respectively (the total prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 7 spouses [21.9%]). Thus, the intraspousal transmission of GBV-C/HGV was undeniable in these seven couples. The respective positive rates of 175 sex- and age-matched controls were 7 (4.0%), 26 (14.9%), and 0 (the total prevalence of GBV-C/HGV was 34 [19.4%]). No significant difference in positive rates was observed between the subjects/spouses and the controls. Five spouses among the seven couples who were positive for any of GBV-C/HGV markers had parenteral risk factors such as blood transfusion, acupuncture, and major surgery. CONCLUSION: Based on these observations, we cannot draw a definitive conclusion that intraspousal transmission of GBV-C/HGV had occurred among these seven couples.