Molecular Cloning and Disease Association of Hepatitis G Virus: A Transfusion-Transmissible Agent

19961,391 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Jeff Linnen · Jisc

J. Wages · Jisc

Z Y Zhang-Keck · Jisc

Kirk E. Fry · Jisc

K. Krawczyński · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Harvey J. Alter · National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Eugene V. Koonin · National Center for Biotechnology Information

Abstract

An RNA virus, designated hepatitis G virus (HGV), was identified from the plasma of a patient with chronic hepatitis. Extension from an immunoreactive complementary DNA clone yielded the entire genome (9392 nucleotides) encoding a polyprotein of 2873 amino acids. The virus is closely related to GB virus C (GBV-C) and distantly related to hepatitis C virus, GBV-A, and GBV-B. HGV was associated with acute and chronic hepatitis. Persistent viremia was detected for up to 9 years in patients with hepatitis. The virus is transfusion-transmissible. It has a global distribution and is present within the volunteer blood donor population in the United States.

Topics & Keywords

Hepatitis C virus research Hepatitis B Virus Studies Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being

Publication Details

Published in: Science

Volume 271, Issue 5248, pp. 505-508

DOI: 10.1126/science.271.5248.505

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 143.34