Full-length GB virus C (hepatitis G virus) RNA transcripts are infectious in primary CD4 positive T cells

GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a recently described flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. Although associated with acute post-transfusion hepatitis, it is not clear if GBV-C is pathogenic for humans. A full-length cDNA was constructed from the plasma of a person with chronic GBV-C viremia. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) transfected with full-length RNA transcripts from this GBV-C clone resulted in viral replication, demonstrating an isolated infectious GBV-C nucleic acid molecule. In addition to composition involving an isolated infectious GBV-C nucleic acid molecule, the present invention concerns methods of inhibiting and treating HIV infections.