The Impact of Human Pegivirus on CD4 Cell Count in HIV-Positive Persons in Botswana.
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Author list: N'Guessan KF, Anderson M, Phinius B, Moyo S, Malick A, Mbangiwa T, Choga WT, Makhema J, Marlink R, Essex M, Musonda R, Gaseitsiwe S, Blackard JT
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Open forum infectious diseases (2328-8957)
Journal acronym: Open Forum Infect Dis
Volume number: 4
Issue number: 4
ISSN: 2328-8957
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
Abstract
Background\nMethods\nResults\nConclusions\nHuman pegiviruses (HPgV)-formerly known as hepatitis G virus or GB virus C (GBV-C)-are common single-stranded RNA viruses that may have a beneficial impact on slowing HIV disease progression. The data on HPgV in resource-limited regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. Thus, we conducted the first study of HPgV in Botswana as part of a natural history study of HIV subtype C disease progression.\nPlasma samples from 133 HIV-positive adults were evaluated for HPgV RNA, and the 5'UTR was sequenced to determine the HPgV genotype.\nHPgV RNA was detected in 41 (30.8%) individuals. While the presence of HPgV RNA had no impact on baseline HIV viral load, a significant difference in baseline CD4 cell count was observed. HPgV genotypes were determined for 27 individuals and included 5 individuals (18.5%) with genotype 1 and 22 (81.5%) with genotype 5. Baseline CD4 cell counts were significantly higher for persons infected with HPgV genotype 5 compared with genotype 1.\nThese data suggest that HPgV infection is common among HIV-positive individuals in Botswana and has a significant impact on CD4 cell count. This difference in CD4 cell count based on HPgV genotype suggests that HPgV genotype should be evaluated as a possible predictor of HIV disease progression and highlights the need for additional studies of this virus in resource-limited settings.
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