Gradual loss of IgG antibodies against GB virus C/hepatitis G virus in a patient with AIDS

Hawaii Med J. 1998 Dec;57(12):733-4.

Abstract

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae and is distantly related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). GBV-C/HGV can be transmitted by the parenteral and the sexual route. Among individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by the sexual route, we and others have demonstrated a high prevalence of GBV-C/HGV infection. Recently, Woolley and colleagues reported that AIDS patients co-infected with GBV-C/HGV had a significantly lower mean CD4 cell count than AIDS patients without GBV-C/HGV infection, suggesting that GBV-C/HGV antibody may be lost with progression to AIDS. To our knowledge no data are available on the loss of antibody against GBV-C/HGV in AIDS patients. We now report on an HIV-infected patient who exhibited gradual loss of IgG antibodies against GBV-C/HGV, as well as HCV, with progression of HIV disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / virology
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Female
  • Flaviviridae / immunology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G