Abstract

GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV) by infecting and encourage proliferative process of the mononuclear cells, may implicate in lymphomagenesis including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Therefore, in this study the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV and HBV infections were evaluated in patients with NHL and controls. In a cross sectional study, blood samples were collected from 70 patients with NHL and 100 healthy controls. The infective markers of GBV-C/HGV and HBV viruses were evaluated in both studied groups by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols, respectively. Anti-E2-Ab was detected in 1.4 of 70(1%) of NHL patients who has not the history of HBV infections. HGV-RNA was diagnosed in 2 of 70 (2.9%) of NHL patients and one of them was also shown the history of HBV infection. HGV-RNA was diagnosed in 1of 100 (1%) of controls but none of them was shown seroconversion to GBV-C/ HGV. HBV-DNA was found in 8 of 70 (11.6%) of NHL patients and 2 of 100 (2%) of controls. Significant differences were found in the prevalence of: HBV-DNA (P=0.013), HBsAb (P=0.001), and HBc-IgG-Ab (P=0.002) between NHL and controls. Determination of active and persistent infections of GBV-C/ HGV with or without HBV infection in NHL patients compared with control population proposed an association between viral hepatitis infections and NHL.

Key words: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), GB virus C (GBV-C), hepatitis G virus (HGV).