Prevalence of TT viral DNA in italian blood donors with and without elevated serum ALT levels: molecular characterization of viral DNA isolates.
Haematologica
; 85(2): 181-5, 2000 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10681726
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
A novel non-enveloped DNA virus, called TT virus (TTV), has been reported to be associated with post-transfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology. Although its clinical role still remains obscure, its presence in blood donations might cause problems. It, therefore, appeared of interest to investigate TTV prevalence in voluntary blood donors. DESIGN ANDMETHODS:
A total of 595 Italian blood donors with and without elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were tested by polymerase chain reaction using two sets of semi-nested primers that amplify the well-known region in the N22 clone. The amplified products were then sequenced to assess the genotype by phylogenetic and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses.RESULTS:
The prevalence of TTV in blood donors was 5+/-1.9% (25 out of 500) with a 95% confidence limit. A similar prevalence was found in 95 selected blood donors with increased ALT levels. A viral load of 10(3)-10(4) viral DNA molecules/mL was found, thus indicating a rather narrow range of variability. A phylogenetic tree built up on the basis of 210 base sequences of ORF1 allowed isolates to be classified into 2 groups corresponding, at least, to two of the putatives TTV genotypes, group 1 and group 2 of Okamoto's classification. A similar classification was also obtained by site restriction enzyme analysis. INTERPRETATION ANDCONCLUSIONS:
The results show that TTV infection is present among Italian blood donors. No significant difference in prevalence of TTV infection was found between patients with normal and increased ALT, making the association between TTV infection and human hepatitis questionable.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doadores de Sangue
/
DNA Viral
/
Alanina Transaminase
/
Vírus de DNA
Tipo de estudo:
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Haematologica
Ano de publicação:
2000
Tipo de documento:
Article