Prevalence of TT virus infection among chronic hepatitis C patients

ABSTRACT

Much is still unknown about the clinical significance of TT virus [TTV] that has been reported as a candidate for non A-G hepatitis virus. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of TTV in healthy subjects and patients co-infected with TTV and hepatitis C virus [HCV]. Twenty four healthy subjects in addition to 40 chronic hepatitis C patients were involved in this study. TTVDNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction [PCR], HCVRNA was measured using real time PCR, and liver enzymes were also determined by RANDOX; EC 2.6.2 IFCC Kit. TTVDNA was detected in 32.5% and 37.5% of control and chronic hepatitis C patients respectively, which was not statistically significant [p>0.05]. No significant increase in serum SGPT, SGOT values was observed among TTV DNA positive and TTV DNA negative in both groups. No significant differences were found between TTV DNA positive and negative groups regarding gender and HCV RNA load. Among the healthy control group, only 2 [8.3%] out of 24 had elevated liver enzymes and they were TTV DNA positive, while out of the 40 chronic hepatitis C patients, [40%] had elevated SGPT and SGOT values respectively. Of these 5 [35.7%] were both TTV DNA and HCVRNA positive. HCVRNA viremia did not correlate with the presence of TTVDNA. In summary, this study does not indicate TTV as a causative agent of non-B, non-C chronic hepatitis cases studied