GBV-C infection in hemodialysis patients

  Objective   To study the prevalence of GBV-C and the clinical significance of GBV-C in hemodialysis patients.

  Methods   Sixty-seven hemodialysis patients were enrolled in this study and HBV DNA, HCV RNA and GBV-C RNA were detected by PCR.Meantime, serum markers for hepatitis B and C were detected with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

  Results   The prevalence of GBV-C in 67 hemodialysis was 16.42%, and the prevalence HCV and HBV among the hemodialysis patients was 22.39% and 26.87% respectively.The detection rate of GBV-C and HCV viremias increased with duration of hemodialysis.Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT and AST)were elevated in patients with HCV or HBV viremia but not in patients with GBV-C viremia.

  Conclusion   The hemodialysis procedures seemed to be crucial for the transmission of GBV-C.The pathogenic effects of GBV-C on hepatitis appeared to be limited.