Prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in intravenous immunoglobulin recipients in the Czech Republic
2006
Abstract
The prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in the serum of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) recipients was studied and risk related to HGV positivity was considered. Although its pathogenicity is unclear, HGV is likely to cause liver disease or lymphoproliferation.
Twenty (23 %) of 86 tested IVIG patients were HGV RNA positive. Of the HGV positive patients, three (15 %) showed mild elevation of liver enzymes and one (5 %) was diagnosed with chronic lymphatic leukaemia prior to the institution of IVIG replacement.
It can be concluded that the HGV prevalence among IVIG recipients is high but is not associated with signs of either liver disease or lymphoproliferation.