High prevalence of hepatitis G virus after liver transplantation without apparent influence on long-term graft function.

Background/aims: Hepatitis G virus is a recently characterized transfusion-transmissible RNA virus. Its pathogenicity remains to be established. We studied its prevalence in liver transplant patients and assessed the long-term influence on the liver graft.

Methods: Thirty-nine adult patients without hepatitis B or C were included; median follow-up was 8 years (range 1-17). Serum samples from before and late after transplantation were investigated for the presence of HGV-RNA. HGV-RNA was detected by cDNA-PCR, using primers from the NS3 region of the viral genome. The latest available yearly liver biopsy was assessed in a coded fashion according to established histological criteria. The outcome in the HGV-positive patients was compared with the outcome in the HGV-negative patients with respect to liver tests and liver histology.

Results: The prevalence before and after transplantation was 15.4 and 43.6%, respectively. Liver test results and liver histology did not differ between the HGV and non-HGV groups. In both groups more than 50% of the patients showed normal histology. Mild portal and/or lobular inflammation tended to be more prevalent in the non-HGV group (no statistical difference).

Conclusions: HGV infection is highly prevalent in liver transplant patients. In the absence of co-infection with hepatitis B or C virus, no long-term negative influence on the graft occurs.