Biomedical subjects

C S Chang

Publications and source records attributed to C S Chang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Secondary chronic myelogenous leukemia after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for lymphoma.

A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed with intestinal lymphoma (high-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, stage IIE) in September 1996. Eleven courses of chemotherapy were administered, but the results were poor. She received autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) in September 1997. Leukocytosis was noted, and chronic myelogenous leukemia was diagnosed 8 months after the PBSCT, progressing to blast phase 10 months later. We report this case because secondary chronic myelogenous leukemia after stem cell transplantation is rare.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Self-oligomerization and protein aggregation of alpha-synuclein in the presence of Coomassie Brilliant Blue.

alpha-Synuclein has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, by its participation in abnormal protein depositions. As the protein has been suggested to play a significant role in the formation of the deposits which might be responsible for neurodegeneration, there is a strong demand to screen for alpha-synuclein-interactive small molecules. In this report, Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) interaction of alpha-synuclein has been investigated with respect to induction of protein self-oligomerization in the presence of the chemical coupling reagent N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline. Both CBB-G and CBB-R, which differ by only two methyl groups, induced the self-oligomerization of alpha-synuclein in a biphasic manner with optimal dye concentrations of 250 microM and 150 microM, respectively. The protein aggregates of alpha-synuclein induced by the dyes in the absence of the coupling reagent were analysed by electron microscopy. Whereas CBB-G induced formation of protein aggregates with a worm-like structure, CBB-R induced clear fibrilization of alpha-synuclein on a background of granular structures. CBB-R interacted with alpha-synuclein approximately twice as effectively as CBB-G (dissociation constants 0.63 microM and 1.37 microM, respectively). These dye interactions were independent from the acidic C-terminus of alpha-synuclein, which was reminiscent of the Alphabeta25-35 interaction of alpha-synuclein. However, the metal-catalysed oxidative self-oligomerization of alpha-synuclein in the presence of Cu2+/H2O2, which was augmented synergistically by Alphabeta25-35, was not affected by the dyes. This indicates that the dye binding site is also distinctive from the Alphabeta25-35 interaction site on alpha-synuclein. These biochemically specific interactions between alpha-synuclein and the dyes indicate that alpha-synuclein-interactive small molecules could provide a tool with which to approach development of diagnostic, preventive, or therapeutic strategies for various alpha-synuclein-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed2001

The effect of jejunal meal feeding on gastroesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial gastric distention is frequently associated with transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Since the role of nutrient perfusion into the jejunum in inducing GER is not well understood, we studied the effect of jejunal feeding on GER through a percutaneous gastrojejunal tube in patients with and without reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Nine stroke patients with reflux esophagitis were fed through a percutaneous gastrojejunal tube with either a liquid meal (2 kcal/2 ml/min) or saline for 2 h randomly on 2 separate days. An esophageal pH probe was placed 5 cm above the gastroesophageal junction to detect acid reflux. Six stroke patients without esophagitis were enrolled as controls. RESULTS: In both the patients with esophagitis and the controls, esophageal acid exposure (15.3% (4.9%-28.2%) versus 2.7% (0.0%-10.8%), P=0.003; 5.9% (0.5%-6.7%) versus 0.0% (0.0%-1.5%), P = 0.01) and events of acid reflux (5 (1-16) versus 2 (0-8), P = 0.02; 12 (3-17) versus 1 (0-4), P = 0.02) were significantly greater during jejunal meal feeding than during saline infusion. Furthermore, in the reflux patients, but not in the controls, acid clearance time was also greater during jejunal meal feeding than during saline infusion (2.9 min (0.5-9.6 min) versus 0.7 min (0.0-4.3 min), P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We therefore conclude that jejunal nutrient infusion without gastric distention can induce GER in both patients with reflux esophagitis and controls. This implies that GER induced by jejununal nutrients may in part explain the incapability of jejunal tube feeding to prevent gastropulmonary aspiration in patients at risk.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth versus antimicrobial capacity in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious infection in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Both defects in the host defense mechanisms and the enhancement of the offensive factor (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)) may contribute to the development of SBP. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of SIBO versus various antimicrobial capacities in the pathogenesis of SBP in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Forty-five cirrhotic patients were enrolled in this study. Bacterial overgrowth was evaluated by breath hydrogen test (BH2T). The hepatic reticuloendothelial system phagocytic index (HRESPI) was measured by intravenously injected colloid suspensions. RESULTS: The Child-Pugh scores in the SBP group were higher than in the non-SBP group (10.5 +/- 2.0 versus 8.0 +/- 1.8, P < 0.01). The ascitic protein concentration was significantly lower in the SBP group than in the non-SBP group (897 +/- 425 mg/l versus 1,325 +/- 453 mg/l, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the serum C3 concentration was lower in the SBP group than in the non-SBP group (43.1 +/- 13.6 ng/dl versus 73.2 +/- 26.4 ng/dl, P < 0.01). The serum C4 concentration was also lower in the SBP group than in the non-SBP group (12.4 +/- 4.0 ng/dl versus 16.9 +/- 6.6 ng/dl, P < 0.05). The incidence of SIBO was higher in the SBP group than in the non-SBP group (68.2% versus 17.4%, P < 0.01). HRESPI values were significantly higher in the two groups of cirrhotic patients than in the normal reference. However, there were no statistical differences in HRESPI between the two groups (8.4 +/- 2.8 min in the SBP group versus 7.9 +/- 2.8 min in the non-SBP group). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the hepatic reticuloendothelial function is impaired in cirrhotic patients, but the degree of impairment does not differ between patients with and without previous history of SBP. Lower ascitic total protein, lower serum C3 and C4 concentrations, and presence of SIBO are all risk factors for SBP. Based on the results of our study, defects in the host defense mechanisms and the enhancement of the offensive factor (SIBO) may act in concert for the development of SBP.

Ascitic Fluid↗

PubMed2001

Efficacy of endoscopic isotonic saline-epinephrine injection for the management of active Mallory-Weiss tears.

Therapeutic endoscopy with isotonic saline-epinephrine (ISE) injection is a convenient and widely used procedure for hemostasis in upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We retrospectively evaluated 36 patients (from January 1996 to April 1999) who had been diagnosed with recent or active bleeding due to Mallory-Weiss tears in emergency endoscopic examination. The endoscopic hemostatic method with ISE injection was performed in 15 of 36 patients. The other 21 patients received conservative treatment with hemodynamic support. Patient's clinical data, laboratory data, transfusion requirements, endoscopic findings, and length of hospital stays were evaluated. Initial hemoglobin was significantly lower in the ISE group than the conservative treatment group (9.74 +/- 2.86 g/dL vs. 12.57 +/- 2.80 g/dL, respectively; p < 0.01). Mean transfusion requirements were significantly higher in the ISE group than the conservative treatment group (7.26 +/- 8.78 units vs. 2.85 +/- 6.21 units, respectively; p < 0.1). Patients in the ISE group were supposed to be having a more severe bleeding episode. Most patients achieved initial hemostasis in the ISE group and the conservative treatment group (93% and 95%, respectively). The rebleeding rate was also similar in both groups (1 in 15 in the ISE group and I in 21 in the conservative treatment group). There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay and rebleeding between these two groups (3.47 +/- 1.92 days vs. 2.47 +/- 1.47 days, respectively: p = 0.89). The endoscopic ISE injection is an inexpensive, simple, convenient therapeutic method and it can achieve initial hemostasis for active Mallory-Weiss tears.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The correlation of depression and gastric dysrhythmia in functional dyspepsia.

Psychologic factors in functional dyspepsia have been discussed in many previous articles. However, the relationship between depression and functional dyspepsia is still obscure. We investigated the impact of depression on clinical symptoms and gastric dysrhythmia in functional dyspepsia. Thirty-nine patients with functional dyspepsia and 18 healthy subjects were included. Patients were investigated with clinical symptoms assessment, Zung's self-rating depression scale, and electrogastrography. Patients with functional dyspepsia were divided into two groups: 21 patients with depression and 18 patients without depression. The depressed patients had similar total gastrointestinal symptom severity scores compared with the nondepressed patients, but with higher total symptom frequency scores (p < 0.05). With regards to symptoms, the depressed patients had higher abdominal fullness severity and frequency scores and nausea frequency scores. The patients with functional dyspepsia had a lower percentage of normal slow wave in both the fasting and fed states and a higher percentage of bradygastria in the fasting state and tachygastria in the postprandial state (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage of bradygastria or tachygastria between the depressed and nondepressed patients. There was no correlation between the specific type of electrogastrographic abnormality and the presence or absence of depression in functional dyspepsia patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Effect of electrical stimulation on acupuncture points in diabetic patients with gastric dysrhythmia: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Abnormal gastric slow-wave frequencies have been observed in diabetic gastroparesis and are associated with impaired antral motor activity. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the effect of acupuncture on gastric slow waves in diabetic patients with symptoms suggesting gastric motor dysfunction. METHODS: Fifteen patients with type II diabetes who had had dyspeptic symptoms for more than 3 months were enrolled. Two acupuncture needles were inserted into the subjects' legs at the Zusanli points, and electrical stimulation (2-Hz pulses) was delivered for 30 min. Cutaneous electrogastrography was performed for 30 min at baseline, for 30 min during acupuncture, and for an additional 30 min after acupuncture. Serum gastrin, motilin, and human pancreatic polypeptide levels were also measured. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the percentages of normal frequency during and after acupuncture (baseline vs. acupuncture and after acupuncture 21.99 +/- 19.38% vs. 45.93 +/- 19.72 and 48.92 +/- 19.56%; p < 0.01). In addition, the percentage of tachygastric frequency was decreased significantly during and after acupuncture. The dominant frequency was also changed significantly. There was an increase of serum human pancreatic polypeptide during acupuncture (baseline vs. acupuncture 56.96 +/- 27.64 vs. 73.11 +/- 22.37 pmol/l; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that electrical stimulation at the Zusanli points could increase the percentage of normal electrogastrography frequency and decrease the percentage of tachygastric frequency in diabetic patients. The data indicate that acupuncture may enhance the regularity of gastric myoelectrical activity in diabetic patients.

Acupuncture Points↗

PubMed2001

Endoscope-assisted microsurgery for treatment of a suprasellar craniopharyngioma presenting precocious puberty.

Being the most common childhood tumor to involve the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, craniopharyngioma, a histologically benign tumor, is usually related to growth retardation and hypogonadism. The presentation of precocious puberty is very rare for a hypothalamic craniopharyngioma. Here, we report such a case. The female patient had presented with symptoms of menarche and breast development since she was 6 years old. Hormonal therapy with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue was instituted to cease precocious puberty but was unsuccessful. Magnetic resonance imaging of the sella showed a 1-cm tumor in the hypothalamic area. Through a pterional approach, the tumor was removed en bloc with endoscope-assisted microsurgery. After the operation, our patient's symptoms improved, so the hormone therapy was discontinued. This extremely unique association of craniopharyngioma and precocious puberty, the causes and mechanisms involved along with the advantages of endoscope-assisted microsurgery are discussed.

Child↗

PubMed2001

CD34+ stem cell transplantation in malignancies: report of three cases.

Purging tumor cells from peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) used to treat patients with malignancy is important in the prevention of relapse. Positive selection of CD34+ stem cells using either immunomagnetic methods or an avidin-biotin conjugated CD34 monoclonal antibody binding column can reduce the number of contaminating tumor cells. We describe the management of three patients with malignancy treated using high-dose chemotherapy and enriched CD34+ cell transplantation. PBSCs were mobilized with cyclophosphamide plus recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rG-CSF), and then leukophoresis was performed to harvest the PBSCs. The collected cells were positively selected for CD34+ cells using the Cellpro system. The CD34(+)-enriched PBSCs were then cryopreserved in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen for future reinfusion. All three patients recovered smoothly after transplantation. The mean time to full hematologic recovery was 12 days for white blood cells (> or = 1 x 10(9)/L) and 14 days for platelets (> or = 20 x 10(9)/L), respectively. Partial remission occurred in two patients who were disease free for more than 4 years, and in one patient who died of hepatic failure with liver cirrhosis 5.5 months posttransplantation.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A molecular genetic analysis of the Kidd blood group polymorphism in Taiwanese, Thais, and Filipinos.

In this study, we molecularly detect the Jka/Jkb polymorphism in Taiwanese, Thais, and Filipinos with PCR-restriction enzyme digestion. We designed the primers with mutagenic bases to create two restriction enzyme cutting sites (EcoN I and Xba I) simultaneously to confirm the genetic polymorphism of Jka/Jkb. One hundred and seven unrelated Taiwanese, 107 Thais foreign laborers, and 102 Filipino foreign laborers in Taiwan were analyzed. The frequency of Jka and Jkb is 0.51 and 0.49 in Taiwanese, 0.44 and 0.56 in Thais, and 0.45 and 0.55 in Filipinos, respectively. The molecular analysis of Jka/Jkb polymorphism is simple, accurate and could confirm the uncertain results obtained by serological typing. The method could be used for predicting fetal Kidd genotype from amniocyte DNA, and to avoid the hemolytic disease of newborns caused by Jk antibody.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Autologous peripheral blood stem cells harvesting in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

We report our clinical experience in autologous peripheral blood stem cells harvesting. A total of 40 patients with 112 apheresis procedures were analyzed, 88 with Cobe system and 24 with MCS3P system. Our results revealed that there was no significant difference in efficiency of CD34(+) cell harvesting between both apheresis systems, but the Cobe system had more nucleated cells collected and less red cell contaminated in the final PBSCs collections. The percentage of CD34(+) cells collected decreased significantly following the first day's harvesting (p = 0.026). There was a good correlation between the percentage of CD34(+) cells in PBSCs and colony forming units-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) or burst forming unit-erythrocyte (BFU-E)(r = 0.909, p < 0.0001; r = 0.788, p < 0.0001, respectively). However, it was negatively correlated with the patient's age. The CD34(+) cells collected in patients with acute leukemias were also higher than those patients with other solid tumors. Ten cases (13%) with 15 apheresis procedures experienced side effects like numbness, nausea, fever, or headache etc. The Cobe system seemed to have higher frequency of side effects than that of MCS3P system (16% vs 4%). From our results, we concluded that both COBE and MCS3P system have similar efficiency and all patients could tolerate the apheresis procedures in peripheral blood stem cells harvesting. The CD34(+) cell can be used as a good parameter to estimate the amount of stem cells collected. The patient's age and disease pattern were significant factors influencing the CD34(+) stem cells collection in autologous peripheral blood stem cells harvesting.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Eosin interaction of alpha-synuclein leading to protein self-oligomerization.

Among various dyes including congo red, thioflavin S, thioflavin T, eosin, rhodamine 6G, and phenol red, the eosin was the only dye that induced self-oligomerization of alpha-synuclein in the presence of a chemical coupling reagent of N-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2-ethoxy-1, 2-dihydroquinoline. To analyze chemical nature of the eosin interaction with alpha-synuclein, the phenomenon of self-oligomerization was further examined with eosin congeners such as ethyl eosin, eosin B, phloxine B, erythrosin B, and rose bengal. The followings are the conclusions we have reached. First of all, intactness of the benzoate moiety of eosin and the negative charge on the carboxylic group of the dye are important factors leading to the specific interaction with alpha-synuclein. Secondly, the localized negative charge on the xanthene moiety of eosin is another critical factor for the interaction. As far as substituting halides are concerned, bromides and iodides on the xanthene moiety of the dyes do not make any difference on the alpha-synuclein interaction because both eosin and erythrosin B have induced the common phenomenon of self-oligomerization. The binding curve between eosin and alpha-synuclein was sigmoidal as the dye concentrations were increased. A double reciprocal plot of the saturation curve showed that the maximum number of eosin binding sites on alpha-synuclein was 1.85 with a dissociation constant of 390 microM. The dye binding to the protein appeared to occur via a positive cooperativity. The eosin binding site(s) was suggested to be located predominantly on the NAC region and partly related to the acidic C-terminus of alpha-synuclein. It has been, therefore, expected that this information might be useful to develop alpha-synuclein interactive molecules, which could provide eventual preventive or possible therapeutic means against various alpha-synuclein related disorders including Parkinson's disease.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

PubMed2000

Ly-49P activates NK-mediated lysis by recognizing H-2Dd.

Little is known regarding the ligand specificity of Ly-49 activating receptor subfamily members expressed by NK cells. A new Ly-49 activating receptor related to Ly-49A in its extracellular domain, designated Ly-49P, was recently cloned from 129 strain mice. We independently cloned an apparent allele of Ly-49P expressed by nonobese diabetic and nonobese diabetes-resistant mouse strain NK cells. We found it to be reactive with the A1 Ab thought to recognize a polymorphic epitope expressed only by the Ly-49A inhibitory receptor of the C57BL/6 strain. Rat RNK-16 cells transfected with Ly-49P mediated reverse Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of FcR-positive target cells, indicating that Ly-49P can activate NK-mediated lysis. We determined that RNK-16 lysis of Con A blasts induced by Ly-49P was MHC dependent, resulting in efficient lysis of H-2Dd-bearing targets. We found that the Dd alpha1/alpha2 domain is required for Ly-49P-mediated RNK-16 activation, as determined by exon shuffling and transfection. Thus, Ly-49P is the second activating Ly-49 receptor demonstrated to induce NK cytotoxicity by recognizing a class I MHC molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Agonist-induced phosphorylation of the angiotensin II (AT(1A)) receptor requires generation of a conformation that is distinct from the inositol phosphate-signaling state.

G protein-coupled receptors are thought to isomerize between distinct inactive and active conformations, an idea supported by receptor mutations that induce constitutive (agonist-independent) activation. The agonist-promoted active state initiates signaling and, presumably, is then phosphorylated and internalized to terminate the signal. In this study, we examined the phosphorylation and internalization of wild type and constitutively active mutants (N111A and N111G) of the type 1 (AT(1A)) angiotensin II receptor. Cells expressing these receptors were stimulated with angiotensin II (AngII) and [Sar(1),Ile(4),Ile(8)]AngII, an analog that only activates signaling through the constitutive receptors. Wild type AT(1A) receptors displayed a basal level of phosphorylation, which was stimulated by AngII. Unexpectedly, the constitutively active AT(1A) receptors did not exhibit an increase in basal phosphorylation nor was phosphorylation enhanced by AngII stimulation. Phosphorylation of the constitutively active receptors was unaffected by pretreatment with the non-peptide AT(1) receptor inverse agonist, EXP3174, and was not stimulated by the selective ligand, [Sar(1),Ile(4),Ile(8)]AngII. Paradoxically, [Sar(1),Ile(4), Ile(8)]AngII produced a robust ( approximately 85% of AngII), dose-dependent phosphorylation of the wild type AT(1A) receptor at sites in the carboxyl terminus similar to those phosphorylated by AngII. Moreover, internalization of both wild type and constitutive receptors was induced by AngII, but not [Sar(1),Ile(4),Ile(8)]AngII, providing a differentiation between the phosphorylated and internalized states. These data suggest that the AT(1A) receptor can attain a conformation for phosphorylation without going through the conformation required for inositol phosphate signaling and provide evidence for a transition of the receptor through multiple states, each associated with separate stages of receptor activation and regulation. Separate transition states may be a common paradigm for G protein-coupled receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2000

Alterations of p16/MTS1 gene in oral squamous cell carcinomas from Taiwanese.

To determine the alterations of the p16/MTS1 gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), we examined in Taiwanese patients the mutation, deletion and methylation of p16/MTS1 in primary OSCCs associated mostly with betel quid (BQ)/tobacco use. Among 110 tumors undergoing mutational analyses, seven (6%) showed mutations in exon 2 or the intron 1/exon 2 splice site. All but one mutation disrupted the encoded proteins. Base transitions represented the vast majority (6/7) of the mutations identified in BQ/tobacco consuming subjects. It was noted that 15/56 (27%) tumors examined by restriction fragment methylation analysis revealed a significant level of methylation in different loci of exon 1 as compared with the respective non-cancerous tissue. Mutation of p16/MTS1 was exclusively identified in carcinomas of buccal mucosa, whereas methylation of the p16/MTS1 promoter region occurred preferentially in carcinomas of the tongue (54%) rather than at other sites (22%). Homozygous deletion was not found in 56 paired samples examined, nor was hemizygous deletion indicated in 12 informative cases. The results indicated aberrant methylation and mutation as the molecular abnormality of p16/MTS1 in the OSCC from Taiwanese.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Nasogastric lansoprazole is effective in suppressing gastric acid secretion in critically ill patients.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of nasogastric lansoprazole on acid suppression in critically ill patients. METHODS: Patients were eligible for the study if they had a nasogastric tube in place and had not received acid-suppressive agents for 3 days prior to enrolment into the study. Patients with active gastrointestinal bleeding or a baseline gastric pH > 4.0 were excluded. Patients served as their own controls during a 24 h lead-in period. Lansoprazole 30 mg was administered once daily with water through a nasogastric tube for 2 days. Intragastric pH was measured by continuous 24 h pH-metry for 3 days. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were enrolled into the study. The baseline median 24 h intragastric pH was 2.25 +/- 1.01, and increased to 6.70 +/- 0.82 (P= 0.001) after 2 days of lansoprazole. Mean percentage of time intragastric pH was > or = 4.0 was 25 +/- 13% at baseline, and increased to 84 +/- 14% (P=0. 001) after 2 days of lansoprazole. CONCLUSIONS: Nasogastric lansoprazole 30 mg daily is effective in suppressing gastric acid secretion in critically ill patients.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMed2000

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Asia.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs more frequently in Europe and North America than in Asia but its prevalence is now increasing in many Asian countries. Many reasons have been given for the lower prevalence of GORD in Asia. Low dietary fat and genetically determined factors, such as body mass index and maximal acid output, may be important. Other dietary factors appear to be less relevant. Increased intake of carbonated drinks or aggravating medicines may influence the increasing rates of GORD in some Asian countries but no strong evidence links other factors, such as the age of the population, smoking or alcohol consumption, to GORD. The management of GORD in Asia is similar to that in Europe and North America but the lower incidence of severe oesophagitis in Asia may alter the approach slightly. Also, because Asians tend to develop stomach cancer at an earlier age, endoscopy is used routinely at an earlier stage of investigation. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is essentially a motility disorder, so short-term management of the disease can usually be achieved using prokinetic agents (or histamine (H2)-receptor antagonists). More severe and recurrent GORD may require proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or a combination of prokinetic agents and PPI. The choice of long-term treatment may be influenced by the relative costs of prokinetic agents and PPI.

Asia↗

PubMed2000

Status and natural course of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection among high-risk groups and volunteer blood donors in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Hemophilia, thalassemia and uremia patients are at risk of parenterally transmitted infectious agents. The status and nature of the course of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) infection among these groups and blood donors in Taiwan was investigated. METHODS: Serum GBV-C HGV-RNA and antibodies to GBV-C/HGV envelope-2-protein (anti-E2) were determined in 500 blood donors and in 44 hemophilia, 37 thalassemia and 85 uremia patients. Phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV-RNA and anti-E2, respectively, was 38.6 and 27.3% in hemophilia patients, 27.0 and 27.3% in thalassemia patients, 14.1 and 10.6% in uremia patients and 3.4 and 7.2% in blood donors. The prevalence of GBV-C HGV exposure was 59.1 and 51.4% in hemophilia and thalassemia patients, respectively, which was significantly higher than that for uremia patients (22.4%; P < 0.01) and blood donors (10.2%; P < 0.001). The anti-E2 seroconversion rate was 66.7% in blood donors and 47.4, 36.8 and 34.6% in thalassemia, uremia (P < 0.05 compared with blood donors) and hemophilia (P < 0.01 compared with blood donors) patients, respectively. Discrepancies in the prevalence of GBV-C HGV and hepatitis C virus infection were found among the three risk groups. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 51 of 56 GBV-C HGV isolates clustered in group 3; the remaining five were of group 2a. Twelve of 39 viremic patients in the risk groups cleared the virus during the 4 year follow-up period; seven developed concomitant anti-E2 reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: GB virus C hepatitis G virus infection is epidemic among risk groups and GBV-C HGV group 3 is the major strain in Taiwan. In the risk groups, approximately 18% of infections resolve with concomitant anti-E2 seroconversion within 4 years.

5' Untranslated Regions↗