GB virus-C RNA in Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis

Background/Aims: The involvement of non-B, non-C virus in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not yet known. We have therefore examined the occurrence of GBV-C RNA in such patients. Methods: One hundred and eleven patients diagnosed as having HCC and 67 patients with cirrhosis without HCC were examined for the prevalence of GBV-C RNA by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with primers located at the helicase region. Sera were obtained and kept at −20°C until analysis. Results: GBV-C RNA was positive in (9.9%) cases with HCC, in (13.5%) anti-HCV positive cases, in (4%) HBsAg positive cases, and in (0%) anti-HCV nd HBsAg negative cases. GBV-C RNA was also positive in (10.4%) cases with cirrhosis, in only (5.6%) anti-HCV and HBsAg negative cases, in (12.1%) anti-HCV positive, and in (14.3%) HBsAg positive cases. The clinical background of patients with anti-HCV positive HCC who were also positive for GBV-C RNA did not differ from the background of those negative for GBV-C RNA. Conclusions: GBV-C is unlikely to be a major etiologic agent of non-B, non-C chronic liver diseases and HCC in Japan.