Hepatitis G virus in Saudi blood donors and chronic hepatitis B and C patients

Abdulkarim Alhetheel,Malak Mohsen El-Hazmi

doi:10.3855/jidc.3796

Abdulkarim Alhetheel, Malak Mohsen El-Hazmi

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.3796

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Abstract

Screening blood donors for blood-borne pathogens is very critical for the recipient's safety. Similar to hepatitis B and C infections, hepatitis G infection is transmitted through contaminated blood and causes acute and chronic hepatitis. Previous reports have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA among healthy Saudi donors was 1%-2%. However, the exposure rate of this virus has never been studied. We hypothesized that the prevalence of HGV infection may have changed overtime due to socio-economic and environmental factors. Since hepatitis B and C infections are endemic in Saudi Arabia, we investigated the exposure rate of HGV infection in healthy donors and chronically infected hepatitis B and C patients. A prospective study was done on healthy donors and patients with chronic HBV and HCV infections. Hepatitis B and C viral loads were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. HGV exposure rate was evaluated by detection of HGV antibodies. Analysis of samples from healthy donors (n = 210), chronic HBV+ patients (n = 169), and chronic HCV+ patients (n = 105) showed that nine samples (4.3%), seven samples (4.1%), and four samples (3.8%) were positive for HGV antibodies, respectively. The non-significant difference in the exposure rates of HGV between the study groups may indicate that HGV infection occurs independent of HBV or HCV infections. We showed for the first time that the exposure rate of HGV infection among the Saudi population is 4.3%, and we recommend HGV screening for all blood donors.

Highlights

Screening blood donors for blood-borne pathogens is very critical for the recipient’s safety
There was no significant difference between not exposed to hepatitis G virus (HGV) and exposed to HGV blood donors with respect to age
The viral load for HBV in the patients exposed to HGV was relatively high in one male patient in comparison with six other patients in the same group (Table 2), the viral load of HBV among HBV-infected patients exposed to HGV was significantly lower compared to those with HBV infection not exposed to HGV (0.68 x 106 ± 1.78 x 106 vs. 7.32 x 106 ± 31.63 x 106 IU/mL, p = 0.01) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Screening blood donors for blood-borne pathogens is very critical for the recipient’s safety. Since hepatitis B and C infections are endemic in Saudi Arabia, we investigated the exposure rate of HGV infection in healthy donors and chronically infected hepatitis B and C patients. Methodology: A prospective study was done on healthy donors and patients with chronic HBV and HCV infections. Conclusions: We showed for the first time that the exposure rate of HGV infection among the Saudi population is 4.3%, and we recommend HGV screening for all blood donors. There are several viruses that target primarily the liver and cause hepatitis These include viral hepatitis type A, B, C, D, E, and G [2]. Its prevalence in healthy individuals and chronically infected hepatitis patients has not been comprehensively studied

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