Back to Search
Start Over
Prevalence of GB Virus C (Hepatitis G Virus) and Risk Factors for Infection in São Paulo, Brazil.
- Source :
- European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases; Jun2002, Vol. 21 Issue 6, p438-443, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2002
-
Abstract
- The prevalence of GB virus C (GBV-C) varies widely throughout the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, to estimate the prevalence of GBV-C infection and to identify associated risk factors, using a large sampling of the general population rather than blood donors or an illness-related group of subjects. GBV-C RNA was detected by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using primers directed to the 5′ noncoding region (NCR) and nonstructural 5A region (NS5A) in serum samples from 1,039 healthy individuals 2 years of age or more. Fifty-two individuals were positive for both sets of primers and one was positive for NS5A only (prevalence of GBV-C infection, 5.1%; 95%CI, 3.9–6.7%). No child under 5 years of age was found positive. Among subjects aged 5 years or more, the prevalence of infection increased consistently with age, up to 30–39 years (8.3%), and decreased from then on. The number of sexual partners in the last 3 years (2 or more: OR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.3–5.5) and history of contact with blood-sucking insects (OR, 2.5; 95%CI 1.2–5.4) were independently associated with GBV-C infection. In conclusion, the prevalence of GBV-C infection is high in São Paulo. In addition to parenteral transmission, another route, e.g. sexual or vertical, may be involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HEPATITIS viruses
DISEASE risk factors
VIRUS diseases
INFECTION
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09349723
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 15685751
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-002-0752-y