Prevalence of TT virus in general population of Isfahan

TT virus (TTV) is an unenveloped single-stranded circular DNA virus. Sensitive PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) methods with primers designed for very conserved regions of the viral genome (UTR) indicate high prevalence (> 90%) of TTV infection in general population of many countries world-wide. Although there has been no evidence of its relation to any liver or other specific disease to date, it is speculated that certain genotype(s) may be capable of causing hepatitis. A relationship between viral load and immune status of host is also suggested. This study was done to determine the prevalence of TTV infection in general population of Isfahan, Iran. Serum samples were collected from 132 voluntary blood donors in Blood Transfusion Organization, Isfahan. Among them, four were positive for HBs-Ag and six for Anti-HCV antibody. DNA was extracted and subjected to PCR using consensus primers. The amplified PCR products were sequenced. TTV DNA was detected in 105 out of 132 examined samples (95% confidence interval: 73% to 86% with) These included ninety-five out of 122 healthy and 10 out of 10 hepatitis-positive sera. The results showed high prevalence of TTV in general population of Isfahan which is the same as other areas studied. Determining the genotypes present in Isfahan population is suggested.