value of routine screening of TT virus in blood transfusion practice

ABSTRACT

To clarify the prevalence of TT virus [TTV] infection in blood donors as well as recipients to predict the value of its routine screening and to minimize the incidence of transfusion associated hepatitis [TAH], the present study included 180 subjects divided into three groups. Group A included 50 consecutive healthy blood donors with elevated ALT at the time of donation and group B included 100 consecutive healthy volunteer blood donors with normal ALT; both groups were negative for the serological markers for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Group C included 30 blood product recipients in whom post-transfusion follow up revealed elevated ALT and negative hepatitis A-C markers. All subjects were subjected to laboratory evaluation in the form of serum ALT as well as a panel of A-C hepatitis viruses studies which was carried out using ELISA II technique to detect HbsAG, anti HCV antibodies and anti HAV IgM. TTV DNA was amplified and detected using polymerase chain reaction, followed by gel electrophoresis