Prevalence of GBV C/HGV RNA and GBV C/HGV Antibodies in French Volunteer Blood Donors: Results of a Collaborative Study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives: Posttransfusion hepatitis still occurs at an incidence of about 1 in 118,000 for HBV and 1 in 220,000 for HCV. This collaborative study aimed to determine the prevalence of a novel flavivirus, GBVC/HGV, even though its role in transfusion‐associated hepatitis is uncertain. Materials and Methods: GBVC/HGV RNA was detected by PCR using either the Boehringer detection kit or by primers previously described. HGV antibodies were detected by a serological assay from Boehringer. Results: The observed GBVC/HGV RNA frequency was 3.4%. HGV antibodies occurred in 9.5% of donors. Conclusion: In our study, 12.9% of the donors had been in contact with the GBVC/HGV virus.