Prevalence, persistence and liver enzyme levels of HGV RNA-positive blood donors determined by large-scale screening and transmission by blood components.

Although it seems to be rather unlikely, it still remains unclear whether hepatitis G virus (HGV) is involved in post-transfusion hepatitis. Prevalence of HGV viremia and persistence in blood donors was determined. ALT and AST values of viremic and non-viremic donations of the donors were compared. 25,006 blood donations were tested for the presence of HGV RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. ALT and AST were determined for every donation. Sequential serum samples of 105 HGV RNA-positive donors were tested for both HGV RNA and antibodies to the HGV-E2 antigen (anti-E2) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stored serum samples of 66 patients from before and after transfusion of HGV RNA-positive units were also tested. 1.6% of the 25,006 blood donations were HGV RNA-positive. One of 105 HGV RNA-positive blood donors showed viremia for more than 6 years. Three donors showed viremia and HGV antibody at the same time. There is no significant difference in ALT and AST activity in HGV RNA-positive donors compared to a control group of healthy donors and also before and after seroconversion to HGV RNA-negative (p > 0.05). Transmission of HGV by blood components has been shown in transfused patients. The prevalence of HGV infection in patients (n = 66) is 17%. Transmission of HGV by blood components does occur. Patients have a significantly higher prevalence of HGV viremia compared to blood donors. In blood donors no liver affection by means of ALT or AST elevation can be seen. Long persistence of HGV viremia is common and the presence of anti-E2 does not exclude viremia.