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A new hepatitis-associated virus, hepatitis G virus (HGV), has been reported. Although its epidemiology, mode of transmission, and infectiousness are not yet well understood, it may be transmitted by transfusion. We investigated the transmission of HGV in 146 patients who underwent surgery, during which an average of 6.0±6.0 (range 1 to 35) units of blood was transfused. Transmission was determined through postoperative detection of HGV-RNA. Ten patients (6.8%) demonstrated HGV-RNA in the serum within 1 to 4 weeks after operation. Among these, HGV-RNA was detected in at least one of the blood units received by seven patients, all of whose units were available for testing. HGV-RNA was detected transiently for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery in two, and persisted after transfusion in the other eight. HGV viremia did not resolve in most of these patients and persisted longer than 16 months. None of them developed posttransfusion hepatitis. These results indicate that HGV can be transmitted by transfusion and that infection is permanent, but does not induce posttransfusion hepatitis.

Detailed studies of various aspects of the morphology and reproduction ofAntithamnion subcorticatum Itono andAntithamnion crouanioides Itono show that these species are incorrectly referred to as the genusAntithamnion. To include these species, a new genus,Balliella, is proposed. In addition, some other algae possibly referable to this genus are briefly discussed. The genusBalliella is here recognized as a member of the new tribeDelesseriopsieae which is most nearly related to the tribe Antithamnieae in the Ceramiaceae. The tribe Delesseriopsieae is now recognized to include the two genera, i.e.,Delesseriopsis andBalliella.