Detection of TTV in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Intravenous Drug Users.

Abstract

In order to further elucidate the tropism of the novel hepatitis TT virus (TTV) we investigated 22 intravenous drug users (IVDU) for the presence of viral DNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by means of seminested polymerase chain reaction using a set of primers specific for the conserved region of its genome. We detected TTV DNA in 63% of those individuals who had previously been found positive for the agent in their serum, whereas the three remaining ones not displaying TTV DNA in their serum and hence, serving as controls also proved negative in their PBMC. The results presented here further support earlier findings by other authors and their conclusion as to the virus employing a parenteral route of transmission. Further investigation will be required in order to clarify the mechanism of viral infection.

Beyond Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus: a Review of Viruses Composing the Blood Virome of Solid Organ Transplant and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

“…Despite no currently existing culture model for TTV, several data suggest viral replication in PBMCs and lymphocytes (300)(301)(302). TTV DNA has been detected in blood, plasma, cord blood, and PMBCs (58,297,300,(303)(304)(305). In PBMCs and other blood cells, the TTV genome has been detected in monocytes and natural killer cells, as well as in B and T lymphocytes (297,300,303,306).…”

“…TTV DNA has been detected in blood, plasma, cord blood, and PMBCs (58,297,300,(303)(304)(305). In PBMCs and other blood cells, the TTV genome has been detected in monocytes and natural killer cells, as well as in B and T lymphocytes (297,300,303,306). TTV has also been detected in bone marrow, spleen (296,307), and other diverse clinical specimens (296,(308)(309)(310)(311)(312)(313)(314)(315)(316)(317).…”

Molecular Properties, Biology, and Clinical Implications of TT Virus, a Recently Identified Widespread Infectious Agent of Humans

“…Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but not red blood cells freshly harvested from infected individuals also harbor TTV DNA (93,118,125,136), suggesting that the virus might replicate in lymphoid cells as well as in hepatocytes. Interestingly, the genotypes of plasma-and PBMC-associated virus sometimes differed in one study (118), suggesting a compartmentalization of TTV infection similar to what was observed for HIV-1 and HCV (91).…”

Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Implications of TT Virus (TTV) Infection in Indian Subjects

“…Most often the highest TTV detection rates have been reported among multitransfused thalassemic subjects, hemodialysis patients, hemophiliacs and intravenous drug abusers. [10][11][12][13]17,40 In addition, it has been detected more often in hepatitis B and C patients than in control groups. 12,17,41 Furthermore, the detection of the virus in commercial blood products also indicates parenteral transmission.…”