Prevalence of hepatitis-G virus and hepatitis-C virus infection in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Med Oncol. 2000 May;17(2):123-6. doi: 10.1007/BF02796207.

Abstract

Several studies have reported that hepatitis-C virus may have a role in the development of non- Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hepatitis-G virus has hepatitis-C virus like characteristics. The possible association between hepatitis-G virus infection and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis-G virus and hepatitis-C virus infection in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma without blood transfusion. Forty-four patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were enrolled in the study. Serum samples derived from the patients were tested for antibodies against hepatitis-C virus by ELISA. Hepatitis-G virus and hepatitis-C virus RNA were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Only two of 44 patients (5%) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were positive for Anti- HCV and hepatitis C virus RNA. One patient had low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with follicular mixed histopathology while the other had intermediate grade with diffuse large cell histopathology. Hepatitis-G virus infection was detected in none of the patients. We concluded that hepatitis-G virus does not seem to be in association with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Flaviviridae*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral / analysis

Substances

  • RNA, Viral