Abstract
The prevalence of TT virus (TTV) infection in various population groups from Athens, Greece, was assessed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two primer sets from distinct regions of the genome: the conventional set derived from the open reading frameโ1 (ORFโ1) and the new, highly sensitive set targeting the region that includes the TATA signal localized upstream of ORFโ2. Based on both primer sets, TTV DNA was detected in 42/50 (84.0%) healthy individuals, 42/50 (84.0%) chronic hepatitis C patients, 31/39 (79.5%) acute nonโAโE hepatitis patients (group I), 14/16 (87.5%) renal failure patients with acute nonโAโE hepatitis (group II), 47/50 (94.0%) intravenous drug users (IVDU), 36/50 (72.0%) hemophiliacs, and 21/31 (67.7%) hemodialysis patients. The presence of TTV was not associated with any particular risk group, and no differences were observed in relation to demographic, biochemical and virological characteristics between TTV DNAโpositive and โnegative patients. TTV did not seem to have a profound effect on the course of chronic C or acute nonโAโE hepatitis either. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TTV strains circulating in the greater metropolitan area of Athens belong not only to the G1 and G2 genotypes that are encountered worldwide, but also to G3 and to G5 that are found mainly in Europe and Asia, respectively. Further studies will shed light on the role of this highly prevalent virus. J. Med. Virol. 65:423โ429, 2001. ยฉ 2001 WileyโLiss, Inc.