Molecular Cloning and Disease Association of Hepatitis G Virus: A Transfusion-Transmissible Agent

TLDR

HGV is an RNA virus first identified in the plasma of a chronic hepatitis patient and is closely related to GBV‑C while distantly related to HCV, GBV‑A, and GBV‑B. The complete 9392‑nt genome was obtained by extending an immunoreactive cDNA clone, encoding a 2873‑amino‑acid polyprotein. HGV is associated with acute and chronic hepatitis, can persist in the bloodstream for up to nine years, is transfusion‑transmissible, and is globally distributed, including among U.S.

Abstract

An RNA virus, designated hepatitis G virus (HGV), was identified from the plasma of a patient with chronic hepatitis. Extension from an immunoreactive complementary DNA clone yielded the entire genome (9392 nucleotides) encoding a polyprotein of 2873 amino acids. The virus is closely related to GB virus C (GBV-C) and distantly related to hepatitis C virus, GBV-A, and GBV-B. HGV was associated with acute and chronic hepatitis. Persistent viremia was detected for up to 9 years in patients with hepatitis. The virus is transfusion-transmissible. It has a global distribution and is present within the volunteer blood donor population in the United States.