Studies linking the Hepatitis-G virus (HGV/GBV-C) with protective effects against human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have reported positive correlation of the two viruses. HGV and GBV-C are independent isolates of the same virus with 95% sequence homology. Subsequent studies affirmed that this virus does not cause a disease hence it was resolved to be called as GBV-C virus. Earlier studies have shown that GBV-C coinfection of HIV-positive patients did not result into slower rate of the progression of AIDS as well as a delay in the mortality of the HIV infected patients.
Notable studies from Tillmann and Xiang have shown that GBV-C coinfection of HIV-infected individuals improved the survival rates of the infected individuals when compared with patients who do not have any history of infection from the said virus. The publication of two studies in 2004 by Williams and her colleagues and Bjorkman and his colleagues even heightened the question whether there is indeed a beneficial effect in the GBV-C coinfection of HIV-positive patients.
In the study of Williams and colleagues, it was claimed that the coinfection resulted into a significant delay in the progression of HIV disease and better survival rates, Bjorkman’s camp claimed otherwise. Finally, most believe that the conflicting results is attributed with the span of the time of observation as Williams et al. reported that 12 to 18 months of baseline infection does not result into a conclusive data but 5 to 6 years of seroconversion revealed an improved survival and mortality rates among coinfected individuals.
Look at this now – What You Need to Know about Hepatitis C
Up to date there has been no correct mechanism elucidated by which coinfection with GBV-C of HIV infected individuals result into a positive viral interaction benefiting the host through delay of the progression of the disease, AIDS. INTRODUCTION Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections. Sexual, blood and maternal transmission at birth or through breast milk are the three major routes by which HIV can be transmitted.
The primary target of the HIV is the immune system in which it acts by infecting helper T cells specifically CD4+ cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. The infection of the CD4+ cells by the HIV eventually leads to death through direct killing, apoptosis and killing by CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes. Recently, a newly discovered virus is said to delay the progression of HIV among infected persons exhibiting coinfection with this particular virus. This virus is now known as the GB virus C (GBV-C).
This virus was independently discovered by two laboratories, first by the Genelabs, Inc. in 1995 which gave the name hepatitis G virus (HGV) and by the Abbott Laboratories which gave the name GBV-C. Sequence homology of the viruses discovered by these two laboratories revealed that these two viruses are different isolates of the same virus, but eventually the virus took the name GBV-C because subsequent studies did not find an association between these viruses and hepatitis (Stapleton, Williams, & Xiang, 2004).
The primary question addressed in this research is whether there is a direct correlation of protective effect against HIV when one is infected with GBV-C. Also the possible mechanisms by which GBV-C counteracts HIV will be determined and conflicts arising from this issue will as well be identified and answered. With the continuous proliferation of studies with conflicting standpoints regarding this issue, it is deemed necessary to examine the available literature.
This in turn will help those people who share the interest of finding out the truth about the issue, particularly those who are HIV-positive and those who have loved ones who as well are contracted by the disease. The main goal of this research is to provide evidences which will help elucidate whether there are sufficient studies supporting that GBV-C has a protective effect against HIV-positive individuals mainly by delaying the progression of the HIV through coinfection with GBV-C. In addition, the researcher aims to come up with a conclusion based from the evaluation of the existing studies.