Clinical characteristics and distribution of genotypes of TT virus infection in a hepatitis C virus-hyperendemic township of a hepatitis B virus-endemic country (Taiwan)
Chia-Yen Dai
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorMing-Lung Yu
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorCheng Hou
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorSheng-Nan Lu
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung and
Search for more papers by this authorJing-Houng Wang
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung and
Search for more papers by this authorJee-Fu Huang
Department of Internal Medicine, Foo Yin Hospital, Pintung, Taiwan
Search for more papers by this authorShinn-Cherng Chen
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorZu-Yau Lin
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorMing-Yuh Hsieh
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorJung-Fa Tsai
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorLiang-Yen Wang
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorWan-Long Chuang
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorWen-Yu Chang
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorChia-Yen Dai
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorMing-Lung Yu
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorCheng Hou
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorSheng-Nan Lu
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung and
Search for more papers by this authorJing-Houng Wang
Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung and
Search for more papers by this authorJee-Fu Huang
Department of Internal Medicine, Foo Yin Hospital, Pintung, Taiwan
Search for more papers by this authorShinn-Cherng Chen
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorZu-Yau Lin
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorMing-Yuh Hsieh
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorJung-Fa Tsai
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorLiang-Yen Wang
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorWan-Long Chuang
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorWen-Yu Chang
Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung,
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background: The prevalence of TT virus (TTV) viremia, without definite clinical significance, has been reported to be higher among chronic hepatitis C patients. The status and clinical characteristics of TT virus (TTV) infection and distribution of TTV genotypes in a hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyperendemic township (Masago community) in a hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic country (Taiwan) were investigated.
Methods: Sera from 100 Masago residents were tested for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and markers of HBV, HCV and GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) and TTV-DNA. Sera of 250 blood donors as a control group were tested for TTV-DNA. Sera of Masago residents and blood donors with positive TTV-DNA were directly sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses were performed subsequently.
Results: The prevalences of TTV viremia in different age groups among individuals from Masago were significantly higher than that among blood donors. In regard to the subtypes of TTV, 23, seven, two, eight, one, six and one isolate were related to the genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, from Masago and 21, 14, one, nine and three isolates were related to the genotypes 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, and 4, respectively, from donors. No clinical or virological factor was associated with TTV viremia or TTV genotypes.
Conclusions: TT Virus prevalence was higher among HCV hyperendemic township residents than blood donors with similar genotype distributions (genotype 1 was the most prevalent) in Taiwan. Neither TTV viremia nor a particular genotype was associated with HBV, HCV or GBV-C/HGV infection and abnormal ALT levels.
© 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
References
- 1 Nishizawa T, Okamoto H, Konishi K, Yoshizawa H, Miyakawa Y, Mayumi M. A novel DNA virus (TTV) associated with elevated transaminase levels in posttransfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1997; 241: 92 – 7.
- 2 Okamoto H, Nishizawa T, Kato N et al. Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel virus (TTV) associated with posttransfusion hepatitis of unknown etiology. Hepatol. Res. 1998; 10: 1 – 16.
- 3 Mushahwar IK, Erker JC, Muerhoff AS et al. Molecular and biophysical characterization of TT virus: evidence for a new virus family infecting humans. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 1999; 96: 3177 – 82.
- 4 Tanaka Y, Mizokami M, Orito E et al. New genotypes of TT virus (TTV) and a genotyping assay based on restriction fragment length polymorphism. FEBS Lett. 1998; 437: 201 – 6.
- 5 Charlton M, Adjei P, Poterucha J et al. TT-virus infection in North American blood donors, patients with fulminant hepatic failure, and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Hepatology 1998; 28: 839 – 42.
- 6 Chuang WL, Chang WY, Lu SN et al. The role of hepatitis C virus in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Gastroenterol. Jpn 1993; 28 (Suppl. 5): 23 – 7.
- 7 Chen DS, Wang JT, Chen PJ, Wan TH, Sung JL. Hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan. Gastroenterol. Jpn 1991; 26 (Suppl.): S164 – 6.
- 8 Chang WY, Chen CJ, Lu SN et al. Relationship between fatty liver, alanine aminotransferase, HBsAg and hepatitis C virus. J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 1992; 7: 455 – 8.
- 9 Lu SN, Chue PY, Chen HC et al. Different viral aetiology of hepatocellular carcinoma between two hepatitis B and C endemic townships in Taiwan. J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 1997; 12: 547 – 50.
- 10 Wang JH, Lu SN, Wu JC et al. A hyperendemic community of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection in Taiwan. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 1999; 93: 1 – 2.
- 11 Wang CS, Chang TT, Chou P. Differences in risk factors for being either a hepatitis B carrier of anti-hepatitis c+ in a hepatoma-hyperendemic area in rural Taiwan. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 1998; 51: 733 – 8.
- 12 Mukaide M, Mizokami M, Orito E et al. Three different GB virus C/hepatitis G virus genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis and a genotyping assay based on restriction fragment length polymorphism. FEBS Lett. 1997; 407: 51 – 8.
- 13 Tacke M, Kiyosawa K, Stark K et al. Detection of antibodies to a putative hepatitis G virus envelope protein. Lancet 1997; 349: 318 – 20.
- 14 Simmonds P, Davidson F, Lycett C et al. Detection of a novel DNA virus (TTV) in blood donors and blood products. Lancet 1998; 352: 191 – 5.
- 15
Niel C,
De Oliveira JM,
Ross RS,
Gomes SA,
Roggendorf M,
Viazov S.
High prevalence of TT virus infection in Brazilian blood donors.
J. Med. Virol.
1999; 57: 259
–
63.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199903)57:3<259::AID-JMV8>3.0.CO;2-2 CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 16
Lo SY,
Peng KF,
Ma HC et al.
Prevalence of TT virus DNA in eastern Taiwan Aborigines.
J. Med. Virol.
1999; 59: 198
–
203.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199910)59:2<198::AID-JMV12>3.0.CO;2-2 CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 17
Kao JH,
Chen W,
Hsiang SC,
Chen PJ,
Lai MY,
Chen DS.
Prevalence and implication of TT virus infection: Minimal role in patients with non-A-E hepatitis in Taiwan.
J. Med. Virol.
1999; 59: 307
–
12.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199911)59:3<307::AID-JMV8>3.0.CO;2-3 CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 18 Zein NN, Arslan M, Li H et al. Clinical significance of TTV virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 1999; 94: 3020 – 7.
- 19
Kao JH,
Chen W,
Chen PJ,
Lai MY,
Chen DS.
TT virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C: influence on clinical, histological and virological features.
J. Med. Virol.
2000; 60: 387
–
92.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(200004)60:4<387::AID-JMV4>3.0.CO;2-Z CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 20 Gallian P, Biagini P, Zhong S et al. TT virus: a study of molecular epidemiology and transmission of genotypes 1,2 and 3. J. Clin. Virol. 2000; 17: 43 – 9.
- 21 Huang YH, Wu JC, Chiang TY et al. Detection and viral nucleotide sequence analysis of transfusion-transmitted virus infection in acute fulminant and non-fulminant hepatitis. J. Viral. Hepat. 2000; 7: 56 – 63.
- 22 Tanaka M, Nishiguchi S, Tanaka T et al. Prevalence of TT virus in patients with fulminant hepatic failure in Japan. J. Gastroenterol. 1999; 34: 589 – 93.
- 23 Takayama S, Miura T, Matsuo S, Taki M, Sugii S. Prevalence and persistence of a novel DNA TT virus (TTV) infection in Japanese haemophiliacs. Br. J. Haematol. 1999; 104: 626 – 9.
- 24 Kato T, Mizokami M, Orito E et al. High prevalance of TT virus infection in Japanese patients with liver diseases and in blood donors. J. Hepatol. 1999; 31: 221 – 7.
- 25 Fujiwara T, Iwata A, Iizuka H, Tanaka T, Okamoto H. Transfusion transmitted virus (letter). Lancet 1998; 352: 1310.
- 26 Itoh K, Hirakawa K, Okamoto H et al. Infection by an unenveloped DNA virus associated with non-A to -G hepatitis in Japanese blood donors with or without elevated ALT levels. Transfusion 1999; 39: 522 – 6.
- 27
Tanaka H,
Okamoto H,
Luengrojanakul P et al.
Infection with an unenveloped DNA virus (TTV) associated with posttransfusion non-A to G hepatitis in hepatitis patients with healthy blood donors in Thailand.
J. Med. Virol.
1998; 56: 234
–
8.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199811)56:3<234::AID-JMV10>3.0.CO;2-E CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 28
Nakagawa N,
Ikoma J,
Ishihara T et al.
High prevalence of transfusion-transmitted virus among patients with non-B, non-C hepatocellular carcinoma.
Cancer
1999; 86: 1437
–
40.
10.1002/(SICI)1097-0142(19991015)86:8<1437::AID-CNCR8>3.0.CO;2-I CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 29 Liaw YF, Tsai SL, Chang JJ et al. Displacement of hepatitis B virus by hepatitis C virus as the cause of continuing chronic hepatitis. Gastroenterology 1994; 106: 1048 – 53.
- 30 Koike K, Yasuda K, Yotsuyanagi H, Morita K, Hino K. Dominant replication of either virus in dual infection with hepatitis viruses B and C. J. Med. Virol. 1995; 45: 236 – 9.
- 31
Okamoto H,
Akahane Y,
Ukita M et al.
Fecal excretion of a nonenveloped DNA virus (TTV) associated with posttransfusion non-A-G hepatitis.
J. Med. Virol.
1998; 56: 128
–
32.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199810)56:2<128::AID-JMV5>3.0.CO;2-A CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 32
Saback FL,
Gomes SA,
De Paula VS,
Da Silva RR,
Lewis-Ximenez LL,
Niel C.
Age-specific prevalence and transmission of TT virus.
J. Med. Virol.
1999; 59: 318
–
22.
10.1002/(SICI)1096-9071(199911)59:3<318::AID-JMV10>3.0.CO;2-Q CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
Citing Literature
