TT virus infection in screened Taiwanese blood donors

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. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.