A case‐control study of transmission routes for GB virus C/hepatitis G virus in Swedish blood donors lacking markers for hepatitis C virus infection

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Abstract
Background and Objectives The transmission routes for GB virus‐C (GBV‐C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) in blood donors unexposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unknown. We performed a case‐control study of risk factors for GBV‐C/HGV exposure in blood donors. Materials and Methods After testing stored sera from 458 HCV‐negative blood donors for GBV‐C/HGV RNA and GBV‐C/HGV E2 antibodies, 66 donors with GBV‐C/HGV markers and 125 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were interviewed regarding risk factors for viral transmission. Results Exposure to GBV‐C/HGV was strongly associated with previous treatment for a sexually transmitted disease (odds ratio [OR] 4·6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2·2–9·8), with multiple sexual partners (OR 2·9; 95% CI 1·4–5·7) and with a past history of endoscopy (OR 7·0; 95% CI 3·0–16·4). Conclusions In blood donors with GBV‐C/HGV markers, sexual contacts and medical procedures appear to be the main transmission routes.