Prevalence of GB virus type C in urban Americans infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Retrovirology. 2005 May 31:2:38. doi: 10.1186/1742-4690-2-38.

Abstract

GBV-C virus infection has been linked to improved clinical outcome in HIV-1 co-infected individuals. The epidemiology of GBV-C has, thus far, been limited to the gay male, HIV+ population. Here we describe the prevalence of antibodies against GBV-C envelope glycoprotein E2 and GBV-C viremia in an HIV+ inner city population. This study group is predominantly African-American; 41% of the participants are women. The major risk factor for HIV infection is intravenous drug use. Overall, 56% of the study population had evidence of current or past infection with GBV-C. GBV-C exposure was not associated with hepatitis C virus infection. The group of participants, who had GBV-C viremia and anti-E2 antibodies, had high percentage of patients with an undetectable HIV-1 viral load. These data provide increased insight into the prevalence of GBV-C co-infection in the HIV epidemic in this understudied population.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Flaviviridae Infections / epidemiology*
  • Flaviviridae Infections / virology
  • GB virus C / immunology*
  • GB virus C / isolation & purification
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Urban Population*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Load
  • Viremia / epidemiology
  • Viremia / virology

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein E2, GB virus C