Little contribution of GB virus C to the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan

RNA of GB virus C was searched for in sera from 109 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. It was detected in 11 patients (10%), and was more frequent than in 3 of 342 blood donors (0.9%) (P < 0.001). The 11 patients included 4 of 29 patients (14%) with hepatitis B surface antigen and 7 of 74 patients (9%) with antibody to hepatitis C virus. RNA of GB virus C was not detected in any of 4 patients without hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody to hepatitis C virus. These results suggest that GB virus C may contribute little to the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan.