Background The role of the recently discovered GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus in fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) has been debated. Although GBV-C RNA has been detected in many cases of FHF, recent data suggest that the relation between GBV-C and FHF may be accidental.

Aims To retrospectively investigate the possible relation between the presence of GBV-C markers (RNA or antibodies to the GBV-C envelope 2 (E2) glycoprotein) and FHF.

Results Nine (16%) patients with FHF had GBV-C RNA and 14 (24%) had GBV-C E2 antibodies, which are higher frequencies than in healthy subjects (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). Seven of ten patients with GBV-C markers during FHF tested negative for these markers before therapy with blood and/or blood products. Sequence analysis of the GBV-C NS3 region fragments of six FHF patients showed no common sequence pattern or motif.

Conclusions The frequencies of both GBV-C RNA and antibodies are higher in patients with FHF than in healthy subjects. However, these increased frequencies may in many cases be explained by the use of contaminated blood and/or blood products given as therapy.