Transmission of GBV-C/HGV from drug-addicted mothers to their babies

Background/Aims: In 1995, a new flavivirus, GBV-C/HGV was identified. Little information is available on the clinical manifestations and epidemiology of GBV-C/HGV infection. We investigated the risk of mother-to-infant transmission in a group of GBV-C/HGV RNA positive women and followed up the GBV-C/HGV infected babies. Methods: Twenty-eight anti-HCV positive women, of whom 25 have been intravenous drug users, and their children were included in the study. RNA was extracted from serum, reverse transcribed and amplified with primers from the NS5 region of GBV-C/HGV and 51-UTR of HCV in a nested polymerase chain reaction. Amplified DNA fragments mere gel purified and sequenced; the sequences obtained were subjected to a phylogenetic analysis. Results: Transmission of GBV-C/HGV occurred in 10 (56%) of 18 infants born to GBV-C/HGV positive mothers; all these women were drug abusers. Only one (5%) of 19 babies whose mothers were HCV RNA positive by polymerase chain reaction, was infected with HCV during the follow up. High sequence homology in the NS5 region of GBV-C/HGV isolates in 10 mother-child pairs suggested mother-to-infant transmission. All 10 babies remained GBV-C/HGV RNA positive during follow up (2-12 months). None of the GBV-C/HGV infected infants became icteric or demonstrated any clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease. Conclusions: Mother-to-infant transmission of GBV-C/HGV may be high, at least in HCV-infected, drug-addicted women. In GBV-C/HGV RNA positive infants the rate of GBV-C/HGV persistent infection is high, but the infection is not accompanied by any symptoms of liver disease.