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Prevalence and Significance of Hepatitis GB Virus-C/Hepatitis G Virus Viremia in a Large Cohort of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection, with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection, and on Renal Replacement Therapy in Hong Kong

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Abstract

A total of 455 patients were recruited to study the prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus viremia in Hong Kong. There was no significant increase in the prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia in asymptomatic hepatitis B virus- and hepatitis C virus-infected patients compared to that of controls (1.56% and 7.14%, respectively, vs 3.85%, both P = NS). Renal patients as a whole had a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia compared to that of controls (13.95% vs 3.85%, P = 0.0271). The duration of the replacement therapy, especially for patients with peritoneal dialysis was associated with a higher chance of hepatitis GB virus-C viremia. Among renal patients, renal transplanted patients had the highest prevalence of hepatitis GB virus-C viraemia (19.1%) probably because of a higher susceptibility as a result of immunosuppression. However, hepatitis GB virus-C viraemia did not cause liver biochemistry derangement in renal transplanted patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China

    Man-Fung Yuen, Tak-Mao Chan, Terence Pok-Siu Yip, John Chi-Hang Yuen, Stephen Ka-Nung Ho & Ching-Lung Lai

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Yuen, MF., Chan, TM., Yip, T.PS. et al. Prevalence and Significance of Hepatitis GB Virus-C/Hepatitis G Virus Viremia in a Large Cohort of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection, with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection, and on Renal Replacement Therapy in Hong Kong. Dig Dis Sci 47, 432–437 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013750928982

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