Hepatitis G Virus

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is similar to viruses of Flaviviridae family, which includes HCV.

The flavivirus-like isolates were first demonstrated in Tamarin monkeys inoculated with blood from a surgeon with acute hepatitis in 1995.

A similar virus was isolated from another patient during the same year.

These viral isolates were designated GB viruses A, B, and C. A similar virus resembling.

GBVC (GB virus C) was isolated from a patient with chronic hepatitis in 1996.

Now the virus has been designated as HGV.

Hepatitis G virus is an RNA virus and its genome codes for 2900 amino acids.
The virus shows 95% homology at the amino acid level with GB virus and GBVC, a previously described virus.
HGV has 20% homology with HCV.
HGV is a Spherical, non-Enveloped virus.
Genetic material – ssRNA.

Hepatitis G virus is a blood-borne virus, which is transmitted by transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products.
HGV coinfection is observed in 6% of chronic HBV infection and in 10% of chronic HCV infection.
Although HGV RNA has been demonstrated in patients with acute, chronic, and fulminant hepatitis, patients with multiple transfusions and hemodialysis, blood donors, and intravenous drug addicts, its role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis is yet to be elucidated.