A STUDY ON HEPATITIS G VIRUS INFECTION IN HIGH RISK GROUP OF EGYPTIAN CHILDREN

Saneya Fahmy, Eman Abu-Shady and Maha YZ EL-Abedin, Pediatric

And Microbiology departments ,Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al Azhar University,Cairo Egypt.

A novel flavivirus called hepatitis G virus (HGV) or hepatitis GB has been identified by many laboratories. Epidemiological studies reported roughly 1-2% of healthy blood donors was found to harbor HGV.Here, ninety Egyptian children aged 5-15 years were subjected to this study. They were categorized into three groups: group I, included 30 children on regular haemodialysis, group II were 30 children with chronic liver disease and group III were 30 children suffering from thalassemia. They all were with normal liver functions; finally a control group of healthy children were included. Virological investigations were performed to detect first, anti-HGV E2IgG in plasma by EIA, second detection of HGV antigen in plasma, peripheral blood lymphocytes and saliva by Dot ELISA using monoclonal anti-HGVE2 Biotin –labelled. Third, detection of HGV-RNA in plasma by reserved –transcription PCR.Lastely HCV-RNA was detected by nested RT-PCR in plasma using five primers. The results in group I, II, III respectively were Anti-HGVE2IgG positivity: 13%, 23%, 33%, HGV antigenemia positivity: 20%. 30%, 26%. HGV-RNA positivity: 20%, 30%, and 26%. HCV-RNA positively: 57%, 43%, and 60%. As regards to the control group only one positive case of HGVE2IgG.We conclude that HGV infections were more likely to be iatrogenic among high risk group, this situation needs sticky adherence to quality control measures in haemodialysis units, blood banks and other invasive medical tools. Dot ElISA for detection of HGV is a valid practical alternative for HGV-RNA detection by PCR while seropositivity to anti-HGV E2 IgG indicates virus clearance from blood

0181