Evaluation of HGV Viremia Prevalence and Its Co-Infection with HBV, HCV, HIV and HTLV-1 in Hemophilic Patients of Southern Khorassan, Iran

Background and Aims: The GB virus-C (GBV-C) and Hepatitis G virus (HGV), collectively known as GBV-C/HGV and
transmitted through blood transfusion and blood components. A co-infection of HGV and HCV is often seen in patients
with hemophilia. The paucity of information about rate of GBV-C infection among hemophilic patients in Iran promoted
the current study.
Methods: This study was performed on 80 hemophilic patients from south Khorassan branch of Iranian hemophilia
society in Birjand. All 80 serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag), Anti HCV, Anti HIV, and
Anti HTLV-1. All sera positive for HCVAb were retested by recombinant immunoblot assay as a complementary test. Also,
Serum HCV-RNA, HCV genotyping and HGV-RNA were detected.
Results: The prevalence of HGV-RNA was 5% (4 of 80). The prevalence of Anti HCV positive was 26.3% (21 of 80) and
HCV- RNA was detected in 80% (17 of 21) of these patients. Co infection of HGV with HCV was 5%. HBsAg and Anti
HIV were negative in all of our patients. Anti HTLV-1 was detected in one patient (1.25%).
Conclusions: HGV and HCV are prevalent in South Khorassan hemophilic patients. Prevalence of HGV infection is less
than HCV but it is more prevalent than HBV, HIV and HTLV-1 infection.