TT Virus Infection in Screened Taiwanese Blood Donors

Abstract

Objective: TT virus (TTV) is a newly discovered human DNA virus of uncertain clinical significance. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TTV infection among blood donors in Taiwan. Methods: Viral DNA was studied in 224 healthy blood donors and 118 deferred donors. DNA was extracted from plasma and amplified by seminested polymerase chain reaction with reported primer sets from a conserved region of the TTV genome. Results: The prevalence of TTV DNA in the deferred donors was 24.6%, significantly higher than in the healthy donors (11.9%). TTV was also more prevalent in those with hepatitis B surface antigen than in those without it (p = 0.002). Conclusion: In comparing normal with deferred Taiwanese blood donors, hepatitis B virus infection is linked to a higher prevalence of TTV infection.

Polymorphism of the TT virus and its frequency in Polish blood donors

“…TT virus (TTV) was first isolated from patients with post‐transfusion hepatitis of unknown aetiology [1]. Its pathogenicity is still under investigation both in the context of blood transfusion safety and of hepatic disorders [2–10]. The virus is highly polymorphic [11,12] and the pathogenicity of certain genotypes cannot fully be excluded.…”