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Abstract

Title: Prevalence of hepatitis G virus in patients with hemophilia and their steady female sexual partners.
Author: Yeo AE, Matsumoto A, Shih JW, Alter HJ, Goedert JJ
Journal: Sex Transm Dis 27(3):178-182
Year: 2000
Month: March

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hepatitis G virus (HGV), also known as GB virus C, is a newly discovered Flavivirus that is transmissible by blood transfusion and other possible routes. OBJECTIVE: To study the risk of sexual transmission of HGV in female sexual partners of men with hemophilia (n = 161 couples). METHODS: Blood samples obtained from 11 medical centers were analyzed for (1) HGV RNA by polymerase chain reaction; (2) antibodies to HGV by enzyme immunoassay; and (3) other viruses and T-cell counts by routine laboratory tests. Subjects completed a questionnaire that assessed sexual intercourse frequency, number of sexual partners, condom usage, sexually transmitted diseases, illicit drug usage, and needlestick or broken-glass injuries. RESULTS: The HGV infection (RNA +/- antibody positive) prevalence was 48% among men and 21% among women. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and HIV among men was 99%, 94%, and 86%, compared with 3%, 11%, and 12% among women, respectively. The odds ratio for HGV infection for women with an HGV-positive male sexual partner was 2.14 (P = 0.06) without adjustment, and 2.77 (P = 0.03) with adjustment for other variables, none of which were independently significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a low level of HGV sexual transmission.